The everyday journey

Start with the person.
Follow the whole route.

Will the person push a manual wheelchair, drive a powered chair or need assistance? Consider the journey in both directions, opening the door and the routine of putting a portable ramp out and away.

The World Health Organization recommends individual assessment, fitting, training and follow-up when providing a wheelchair. That person-centred approach matters when discussing access, too. [1]

An occupational therapist or wheelchair professional can help assess individual needs. See the NHS explanation of home assessments.

Look at the complete entrance

Three measurements.
One connected space.

The step height is only the beginning. Include the doorway, the surface before the ramp and the space to stop and manoeuvre at the top.

Side and plan views of an entranceThe side view marks the total rise A. The plan view marks the clear opening B and approach space C, including door swing. Concept drawings only.From the sideFrom aboveABC
  1. Total riseThe vertical height from the ground to the entrance. For several steps, record their combined rise. Note any separate change in level inside the doorway.
  2. Clear openingThe usable doorway width with the door open. Check that the wheelchair can pass without catching the frame.
  3. Approach & turning spaceThe room to approach, turn and stop at both ends. Include the door swing, obstacles and any sideways tilt in the ground.

These diagrams show what to measure, not a specified ramp installation.

Look at the ground

Note loose surfaces, uneven support points, water exposure and changes in level along the route. Confirm the permitted conditions for the exact product.

Look beyond the slope

A ramp needs an appropriate transition at each end. Door movement and room to manoeuvre are part of the access problem.

Measurement prompts: Enable Access site assessment. See also the US Access Board’s illustrated ramp guide; source notes explain its US scope.

Know the differences

Four common
wheelchair ramp types.

Use these four formats to understand the main differences before comparing specific products.

Threshold

For a small doorway transition. Check the profile on both sides, the support surface and whether the door can still operate.

Full-width folding

A platform that folds for storage. Compare its length when opened, usable width, carrying weight and the support needed at each end.

Telescopic tracks

Two separate tracks that extend to adjust their length. All wheels must align with their paths. Check tyre width and ground clearance; do not assume scooter or rollator compatibility.

Modular system

Sections joined together to create a planned access route. Larger changes in height may need level platforms, a different route or another access solution.

Sources: manufacturer’s ramp-format guide and channel-ramp considerations. Threshold and modular formats are included for general knowledge; ask about current supply.

What the research tells us

Incline changes the effort.
The person changes the answer.

The practical takeaway: consider how steep the route is, whether the ground tilts sideways and how the person will move the wheelchair. The research below explains why effort and control belong in the decision.

34studies of manual-wheelchair movement

A 2022 review of the research

Rouvier and colleagues brought together research on pushing manual wheelchairs over slopes, sideways slopes, curbs and different surfaces. The studies used different methods, making direct comparisons difficult.

The review searched published research through May 2021.

Read the systematic review
Gagnon et al. · 2014 · Laboratory study

Steeper inclines demanded more.

In a study of 18 experienced manual-wheelchair users with spinal cord injury, forces applied to the wheel rims generally increased as the treadmill became steeper. Not everyone completed the steeper conditions.

Small, mostly male sample; speed was held constant for each person across slopes. Read the study.

Assila et al. · 2024 · Exploratory study

Sideways tilt matters, too.

In a study of nine manual-wheelchair users, participants responded differently to the downhill turning tendency on a surface that tilted sideways—a cross-slope.

Small, exploratory study; it does not establish a technique suitable for every user. Read the study abstract.

What the evidence covers: these studies explore wheelchair movement and the demands on users. They do not test the two products below or establish a safe slope for every person.
At the same rise a longer ramp occupies more space and has a gentler inclineShorter footprintLonger footprint
The same height to overcome. A longer ramp needs more space. Illustration only.

Why length alone cannot decide.

A longer ramp reduces the incline for the same rise but needs more space. It still has to work with the approach, doorway and wheelchair.

Check both equipment manuals. Cardiff and Vale’s wheelchair guidance warns against exceeding the wheelchair’s slope limit. [5]

Explore the range

Two options.
Two different practical questions.

We’ve explained four common ramp formats. Here are two options from our catalogue to discuss with our team.

152 cm folding aluminium wheelchair ramp, open to show its full-width platform

152 cm folding wheelchair ramp

A full-width suitcase format with a carry handle and an anti-slip running surface.

152 cmRamp length
13 kgRamp weight

Discuss the handling: who will carry and position it, and does the deployed ramp fit the route?

View the folding ramp
A pair of telescopic aluminium wheelchair ramp tracks with dark running surfaces

Telescopic wheelchair ramps

Two separate tracks with adjustable length. The instructions state that this model must not be permanently installed.

120–213 cmAdjustable length

Discuss the wheel layout: do all wheels follow the tracks, with the required clearance and support?

View the telescopic ramps

Specifications: manufacturer’s model-family instructions, September 2024, page 2. Check the instructions supplied with the actual unit. Ask our team to confirm the supplied configuration and availability.

Before you choose

Keep the everyday details
in the decision.

  • Inspect before useCheck for damage and wear, the required fasteners and the support points. Do not use a damaged ramp.
  • Check the complete loadInclude the wheelchair, person and any other load required by the proposed use. Follow the exact model’s limit.
  • Confirm the environmentCheck the permitted surface and weather conditions. An anti-slip finish is not a guarantee against slipping.
  • Plan assistanceAsk for individual guidance if you are unsure about control, assistance or positioning.

Use the ramp’s instructions, the wheelchair manual and appropriate professional guidance. Assessing the end user includes the mobility device, combined load and daily routine.

Can I choose a ramp by the number of steps?

Record the total rise, step depth and available route. Two entrances with the same number of steps may need different solutions. See the site-assessment guidance.

Does a portable ramp mean independent access?

Not necessarily. The person also needs a practical way to deploy it and manage the full journey. Discuss abilities, assistance and the equipment together; the WHO guidance supports an individual assessment process.

Which ramp slope should I use for a home in Cyprus?

The appropriate slope depends on the entrance, equipment instructions and the person using it. For a permanent route, ask a qualified designer or relevant authority to check current Cyprus requirements. OPAK’s accessibility resource links local regulations and amendments.