Accessibility Uncovered ♿: Ramps

Google Maps contribution stories
1

As part of our advocacy, #OneAccesibility, we will share information about differently able and profile one location with accessible trails. Look out every week for this enlightening post.

Ramps are very important for people with mobility issues or that are carrying four-wheeled objects (e.g. strollers) as they let them access places where there are steps or some kind of similar obstacle that prevents them from entering a building by themselves.

They allow these people to be independent, and enter places safely and easily.

There are many designs wheelchair access ramps can have and many materials they can be made of, like wood, steel, or concrete.

Caption: Four different ramps, one with a rug on top in the entrance of a restaurant, a small one in the entrance of a shop, a long one inside a supermarket and a curved one in a park.
Caption: Four different ramps, one with a rug on top in the entrance of a restaurant, a small one in the entrance of a shop, a long one inside a supermarket and a curved one in a park.1024×1024 332 KB

Although there is a lot of variety when it comes to ramp designs, there are some design standards regarding the incline of ramps for wheelchair users:

The incline shouldn’t be too abrupt. It should easy for a person on a wheelchair to use it no matter in which direction they are going. If you find a ramp that’s too steep, it’s most likely not meant for wheelchair usage.

Guidelines of many countries suggest that in ramps of short distances the incline should be around a maximum of 1:12, which means that for every inch of height the ramp has, there should be at least 12 inches of length. Translating to centimeters, for every 2.5 cm of height there should be at least 30.5 cm of length.

Longer ramps need to have at least 2 or 4 inches of length more per inch of height.

In some countries it can be also mandatory for wheelchair ramps to have level landings and/or handrails.
The inclination should give you an idea of whether the ramp is wheelchair-friendly, but if you want to make sure you’re giving Maps the right information regarding the accessibility of an entrance you can look up the guidelines from your country.

Caption: The front of a restaurant called La Estancia.
Caption: The front of a restaurant called La Estancia.3264×2448 1.12 MB

La Estancia is a restaurant perfect to try argentine food, especially asado (roast). It has an accessible entrance, is accessible inside, and has tables that are wheelchair accessible.

If you have questions, suggestions or contributions, feel free to comment them below.
You can read last week’s round up clicking here.

53 Likes
2

Thank you @Jesi for starting, with this post, a very specific element, so important for accessibility. I simply love the idea and I will try to contribute, adding contents when I will meet something useful.

In the meantime, I will start a series soon, about accessible natural features, @EmekaUlor .

In my vision, an accessible life should give also this kind of freedom, to friends less fortunate than us, that need a wheelchair to reach that.

Well done

5 Likes
3

Thanks for sharing. This makes me want to look up guidelines and regulations for Nigeria, I don’t think we have or they aren’t enforced.

I’ve observed an issue with some ramps in Abuja, Nigeria, especially at ATMs. Businesses seem to be away that ramps are needed but don’t know how to implement it effectively.

A United Bank for Africa ATM that has stairs leading up to a ramp and an additional stair at the entrance of the ATM hall
A United Bank for Africa ATM that has stairs leading up to a ramp and an additional stair at the entrance of the ATM hall1080×1920 126 KB

3 Likes
4

Bravo, @Jesi thank you for this informative and simple description about ramps. We need to look out for the right measurement for “accessible” ramps now.:blush:

I believe all Accessibility Advocates need to read this too. Thanks for being a #OneAccessibility team member!

#letsguide #OneAccessibility

3 Likes
5

Hi @Jesi ,

Thank you for sharing your post! Not many restaurants have ramps unfortunately.

Could you tell us more about asado? I’ve heard of it so many times, but I don’t understand whether is a specific plate or the way of cooking?

3 Likes
6

Hey @VasT !

Asado is Argentine barbeque, we cook parts of meat that aren’t usually eaten in other countries, besides more common kinds of meat. We also have traditional sauces for the meat, and I think there’ a specific way to cook it but I’m not so sure about it since I’ve never done it.

I’m planning to make a detailed post about asado, I will post it in a couple of months since that’s the next time I will attend one (as far as I know), I will help prepare it and take notes and photos of the process. I could mention you when it’s posted if you’re interested :slight_smile:

2 Likes
7

Thank you for your response @Jesi ,

It’s always interesting to learn new things about someone’s country. It helps to understand their cultures.

You can tag me I’ll be glad to read all about it though I’m vegetarian :).

3 Likes
8

Hey @Jesi ,

Making restaurants accessible to all patrons are so important. :blush:

Thanks for sharing this with us! Awareness creates change.

4 Likes
9

No puedo creer que no haya visto este y los otros tres post antes, @Jesi , me encanta que Buenos Aires, con el tiempo este siendo cada vez mas accesible, muchos negocios están adaptando paulatinamente sus instalaciones para poder brindar el mismo servicio a todos los clientes, en las calles es mas complicado por el estado de las baldosas, pero hay que ser optimista, las pequeñas mejoras repercuten en forma muy positiva en aquellos miembros de la sociedad que no tienen las mismas movilidades que los demás. Tu pos es inspirador.

Farid.

1 Like
10

Gracias por tu comentario @FaridTDF , y no te preocupes, a mí todavia me quedan pendientes muchos de los tuyos :sweat_smile:

Por suerte cada vez más gente toma conciencia de la accesibilidad al construir edificios nuevos y remodelarlos, parte por las leyes de accessibilidad de la ciudad pero igual sirve.

2 Likes
11

A nice and informative post @Jesi I love reading the posts on #OneAccessibility. Thanks a lot for sharing this nice post with photos and the necessary description on Ramps.

1 Like