Not every disabled person is able to control or even propel their wheelchair themselves. That doesn’t mean that they are unable to get out and about, but it does mean that someone must provide the pushing power. On level ground, that’s no problem. However, it’s unlikely that will always be the terrain, so to prevent a problematic and possibly dangerous situation, the carer will need to learn how to push a wheelchair up a ramp.
It sounds like a simple action, but there’s a lot to learn about pushing a wheelchair up a ramp without creating stress or panic for yourself and the passenger who is relying on you. And remember, what goes up must (usually) come down, so let’s examine that situation in detail, too.
How To Push A Wheelchair Up A Ramp
Before heading for the (up)hills, there are some vital steps to prepare the wheelchair, its occupant, and yourself for the task of pushing up a ramp:
- If not already on, fit anti-tippers to the chair to prevent the chair from falling backward as the weight is transferred when entering the ramp.
- Lighten the load as much as possible.
- Ensure the ramp (if temporary) is secured and won’t move while you’re pushing the wheelchair up it.
- Check for any obstacles on the ramp which might impede progress.
- Ensure that there’s a level landing and doors are open at the top of the ramp so that you don’t have to stop on an incline.
- Have a backup person for steep ramps in case you need assistance.
- Communicate with the occupant, letting them know what you’ll be doing.
A ramp can be a permanent or semi-permanent structure giving access into or out of a building, it may be a natural ramp such as a grassed incline, or it may be a portable ramp that gets positioned to, for example, get up a few steps, or into a wheelchair – accessible vehicle.
1. Prepare The Wheelchair For The Climb
There are several preparatory steps to prevent something from going wrong while you push the wheelchair up a ramp.
Reduce The Weight Of The Wheelchair
Wheelchair passengers usually have a carrier on the back of the chair which holds articles they may need – additional clothing, water bottles, towels, etc. Remove the bag while climbing the ramp and carry it separately.
Check That The Brakes Are Working
If you’ve got a long or steep ramp to climb, you may need to stop to catch your breath halfway. Wheelchair brakes are usually lever- or cable-operated blocks which are forced against the tires to stop the wheels from turning. They are generally relatively inefficient, particularly as they wear, so check that they can do their job and adjust them if necessary. Also, check that the brake blocks are clear of the tires when in the “off” position.
Check The Anti-Tippers Are Correctly Adjusted
Not all wheelchairs have anti-tipper devices fitted, but they are a safety mechanism that prevents the wheelchair from tipping back too far. They are not essential, but helpful – make sure they are correctly positioned and adjusted so that they don’t stop the front wheels from rising high enough to mount the bottom of the ramp as you begin the climb.
2. Preparing The Ramp
When you’re using a temporary ramp, for example, to get the wheelchair up a few steps or into a vehicle, one of the challenges is to stop it from slipping off the top-level surface as it takes the weight of the wheelchair. From experience, this doesn’t happen often, but it might be necessary to place wedges at the base of the ramp to secure it.
The wedges may, though, create a height difference between the ground and the ramp, which will mean lifting the front of the chair onto the ramp before beginning the climb.
Ensure that access onto and off the ramp is from a level surface and that at the top, any door that might block your passage is open. You need to avoid a situation where the wheelchair is left on a slope while you try to gain entry to a building, area, or vehicle.
3. Preparing The Wheelchair Passenger For The Climb
Being unable to assist in the climb and having to rely on someone to push them up a ramp is not easy for the wheelchair passenger. There’s an element of uncertainty, and the risk of something going wrong, so it’s vitally important that the carer communicates throughout the climb.
Firstly, reassure the passenger that the ramp is prepared, and the wheelchair is ready for the climb. If it’s the first venture up this particular ramp, explain what will happen when you reach the top and what direction you will take.
If you need to stop part of the way up to take a breather, let your passenger know before you stop so it won’t be unexpected, and stay behind the wheelchair as a safety measure.
4. Techniques To Use When You Push A Wheelchair Up A Ramp
The Americans With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) recommends a maximum slope for wheelchair ramps of 1:12, which means a one-foot height increase for every twelve feet of ramp. For older people, this drops to one foot for every eighteen feet of the ramp, which is a very gentle slope.
In real life, though, many ramps are a lot steeper. A ramp in a private garden going only three steps up from one level to another may be as steep as 1:3, and (speaking from experience!), while very short, needs strength and technique to master. Here are some tips:
- Use momentum – if you can get onto the ramp with a bit of momentum, it’s much easier to maintain speed up to the top. However, you need to be very careful that the front wheels don’t dig in at the base of the ramp. This is possible if there’s any height difference between the ground and the ramp. Too much of a difference, and there’s a chance that the wheelchair will tip forward and throw your passenger out.
- Lean forward into the slope – by doing this and keeping your back straight. You will be using your strongest muscles, those in your legs, rather than your arms and back, to push up the ramp. If your passenger can also lean forward, that will assist in taking weight off the back wheels and making pushing that little bit easier.
- Zigzag if necessary – if the ramp has enough width, and you’re finding it tough going, you can reduce the incline of the ramp by zigzagging instead of going straight up. It’s important that you can zigzag between the two sides without hitting the rails or getting too close to an unprotected edge, as this will stop you in your tracks.
- Take a break – don’t be too proud to admit you need to rest part of the way. Turn the wheelchair at an angle to the slope (not full side-on), lock the wheels to secure the wheelchair, and catch your breath.
- Get assistance – if you have someone to help you, use them to push the wheelchair. Or, if your passenger still has use of their upper body, they can use the handrails on the wheels to add to the upward force. It’s far better to share the effort and succeed than to try it on your own and fail.
- Always stay behind the wheelchair – never try to pull the wheelchair up the ramp because it’s not only ineffective but also dangerous. If the chair starts rolling back down the ramp, there’s no way to stop it.
5. What Goes Up Must Come Down
The risk of pushing a wheelchair up a ramp is that you might not make it to the top. That risk pales into relative insignificance compared to that when coming down a ramp – lose control, and disaster is inevitable!
Always Come Down A Ramp Backwards
Except for the gentlest slopes, experts recommend that you never push a wheelchair forward down a ramp. The danger is that if the wheelchair gains momentum, there’s no effective way to slow it down, and it will hit the bottom of the ramp at speed. If the front wheels dig in, the wheelchair will throw its passenger forward and possibly catapult them straight out of the chair.
Keep Your Weight Behind The Chair
Leaning into the slope from behind the wheelchair allows you to use your legs as a brake, slowing the progress down the ramp. As you descend, try not to turn around to look behind you, as this affects your weight distribution.
Zigzag Down The Ramp
Zigzagging down a slope has the same effect as when you are going up – it reduces the impetus of the downward movement of the chair.
Be Careful Of The Anti-Tippers
As you reach the bottom landing, the anti-tippers may dig in while the front wheels are still elevated on the ramp. You can avoid this by coming off the ramp at a slight angle.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
The wheelchair passenger might be very nervous, particularly on a steep downhill slope. They don’t have sight of the helper; they can’t see where they’re heading. They have no control over the process, so one can understand that using a ramp, particularly a long, steep one is not a pleasant experience.
For this reason, and to make outings and journeys an experience to repeat, it’s vital that they be part of the process by letting them know what you’re doing at each stage. Ask them repeatedly if they’re feeling okay, get their input in case they feel you could be doing something differently, and have a running commentary on how far there is to go and how you’re coping.
FAQ
Can you use a powered wheelchair on a ramp? Yes, you can use an electric wheelchair to climb up a ramp, but you need to check first whether the ramp can take the weight (electric wheelchairs are heavier than manual ones.) Secondly, the slope must be moderate – steep ramps may prove too difficult. Always have help on hand until you have checked the capability of your electric wheelchair.
Will a wheelchair fit on a pedestrian ramp? The average wheelchair is 25 inches wide, but some are wider at up to 30 inches. That will fit comfortably on most ramps, but standard doorways are 30 or 32 inches wide, and it may be a problem getting through them at the top of a ramp.
How does a portable ramp stay in place? There is anon-slip material fitted at the ends of the ramp to prevent slipping. This can wear, so it needs to be replaced when it’s no longer effective.
Can a bifold ramp be used for multiple stairs? A bifold ramp, usually made from aluminum, folds into two and is light and easily transportable. They come in various lengths from 2 to 6 feet – the short ramp is fine for single steps. The longer ones can easily manage five to six steps as long as there is sufficient level space to accommodate them on the lower landing.
What if a permanent ramp won’t fit in the available space? With the ADA recommending in the USA that the ramp needs to be 12 times in length, the required increase in height, it’s possible that a straight ramp needs too much space. Alternative designs that may work include:
- L-shaped ramps, which rise up the side of a building and then turn 90 degrees into the entrance
- zigzag ramps, which require less ground space, and
- spiral ramps, which may wrap around a building or within a limited area (similar to those you see in parking garages.)
Conclusion
Wheelchairs give disabled people the freedom to get outdoors and carry out most of the activities that an able-bodied person enjoys. For those with motorized wheelchairs or the use of their upper bodies, climbing up a ramp can often be achieved without assistance. But many will require someone to push the wheelchair up a ramp and need to be able to rely on that person to do the job safely and efficiently.
It’s probably true that many wheelchair passengers are elderly, and their carers may be their equally elderly partners. Pushing the wheelchair up a ramp will be a lot easier for them and everybody if the techniques we’ve outlined are implemented. We certainly hope so!