Accessible Solutions: Entrances

If a house or entry porch is wood-framed, bridges or ramps are possible alternatives to provide wheelchair access and still protect wood framing. Wood bridges can span between concrete platforms and wood platforms. The wood is protected from grade by a low retaining wall. The bridge can be accessed by a sloped walk. Ramps are practical alternatives if the height difference between the entry floor and yard is 18" or less. As the height difference increases, however, ramps must be lengthened to maintain a proper slope (less than 1:12). Long circuitous ramps are problematic for many wheelchair users because of the strength and stamina necessary to ascend the ramp. Construction costs for long ramps can also be significant. Platform Lifts - For entrances where the height difference between the yard and entry floor is substantial, an outdoor lift can be installed. Lifts can be integrated into the home's design and covered with a roof structure that protects both the occupant and the mechanism from inclement weather. Lifts can be expensive ($7,000 and up), but these costs should be compared with the marginal accessibility provided by long ramps. In many instances, a combination of different alternatives can be effective. A bridge, for example, can be ramped up to reach a wood porch. Entrances can also be grouped to decrease cost. Perimeter decks, for example, can connect multiple accessible entrances from a single ramp, bridge, or platform lift. Accessible Entrance Options Based on House Construction House Floor Construction Typical Floor System Application Options for Accessible Entrances Slab-on-Grade Floor • Basement floors in all homes. • First floor level in some one-story homes constructed on flat lots. • Regrade the lot as necessary to provide an accessible walk directly to the entrance. Wood-Framed Floor • First floor level in most multi-story houses. • First floor level in houses with crawl spaces or basements. • If house has masonry veneer exterior walls, regrade the lot to provide an accessible walk. • If the house has wood, vinyl, or aluminum siding on the exterior walls, maintain separation between the earth and wood framing. • Options are ramps, bridges, or lifts. Reducing Exterior Grade Differences Front entrances of most suburban single-family homes are accessed from driveways rather than sidewalks. Grade differences between driveway drop-offs and the house's entry floor can be reduced by constructing a sloped connecting walkway. Walks can slope a maximum of 5% without creating difficulties for most wheelchair users. This home uses a platform lift to provide access to the first floor, which is approximately 4'6" above the ground. The canopy roof protects the lift mechanism and the users from inclement weather. For new construction projects, the yard that surrounds a new home or addition is typically regraded to ensure proper site drainage. In some cases, regrading provides an opportunity to adjust the driveway height in order to reduce the height difference between the front door and the driveway. Regrading is a less practical and more expensive option for existing homes. Driveway drop-off points should be relatively level, however, in order to aid wheelchair transfer and passenger loading. Accessible Doors and Platforms Accessible entrances should include a level platform that is large enough for maneuvering during door operation (recommended 5' x 5'). Entry doors should be wide enough to permit wheelchair passage (32" minimum clear opening) and should be equipped with accessible hardware, including easy-to-operate lock mechanisms. Entry platforms, particularly at the front door, should be protected by a roof or overhang. A roof provides shelter to residents as they unlock the door and protects visitors while they wait for the door to be answered. Overhangs also reduce water penetration at flush door thresholds.

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