1. A wheelchair ramp is a structure designed to provide the physically challenged with easier access to buildings and facilities.
   A wheelchair ramp is a mechanical device that lifts a wheelchair onto a public transportation vehicle.
2. A wheelchair ramp is a place to store a wheelchair in an automobile.

A wheelchair ramp is designed to give people who cannot comfortably climb stairs easier access to a building or facility.

1. the Civil Rights Act of 1964
   the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
2. The Patriot Act of 2001

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 focused on preventing discrimination against the physically challenged, and on ways of meeting their day to day needs. Among other things it required that certain businesses and facilities be readily accessible to the disabled.

1. public facilities
   private homes
2. all locations with stairs

ADA laws apply to public locations only, although the guidelines help inform the way everyone builds wheelchair ramps.

1. 24 inches
   36 inches
2. 48 inches

To operate a standard wheelchair you need to have your arms at your sides, therefore the ramp must be at least 36 inches (91cm) wide.

1. a protective border
   a secondary ramp
2. a handicapped sign

A wheelchair ramp must have some kind of protective border that prevents the user from falling off the sides of the ramp.

1. 36 inches
   48 inches
2. 60 inches

To allow for lateral maneuverability once the wheelchair is again parallel with the ground, a ramp must have landings that are at least 60 inches long.

1. handrails
   a handicapped sign
2. a distinct color

Ramps will be used not only by people in wheelchairs, but by people using crutches and other walking devices. Handrails, therefore, are required for all ramps that project more than 6 feet.

1. The slope ratio compares the height of the ramp with the height of an average wheelchair.
   The slope ratio compares the relationship between the height of the ramp and the angle of the ramp.
2. The slope ratio indicates the speed at which an average wheelchair user can traverse the ramp.

Slope ratio indicates the relationship (ratio) between the slope of the ramp and the vertical distance a user will traverse.

1. the ramp's length
   the ramp's width
2. the ramp's cost

The length of a ramp is the product of the height of the ramp and the slope of the ramp.

1. between 1:5 and 1:10
   between 1:16 and 1:20
2. between 1:35 and 1:50

A slope of 1:15 or lower is quite steep. It would pose a challenge to climb with crutches or by wheelchair, and might cause a wheelchair to move too quickly while descending. The ADA recommends a slope ratio between 1:16 and 1:20.

1. It must have arrows that indicate direction of traffic flow.
   It must have a slip-resistant material.
2. It must have wheelchair tracks.

For safety reasons, a wheelchair ramp must have a slip-resistant surface, such as one covered with grit strips.

1. You can brush a slip-proof surface into it.
   Concrete is inexpensive.
2. The beauty of concrete can't be denied.

By brushing wet concrete you can produce a permanent slip-proof surface.

1. It's expensive.
   It's hard to use.
2. It's ugly.

The main deterrent to building a ramp out of concrete is that it's very expensive.

1. time
   aesthetics
2. maintenance costs

It may cost less to build a ramp out of wood, but there will be ongoing maintenance costs.

1. 2-by-4
   2-by-6
2. 2-by-8

To handle the weight of an electric wheelchair, you should build wooden ramps out of 2-by-6 (5cm by 15cm) lumber, rather than 2-by-4.

1. Paint it.
   Treat and varnish it.
2. Brace it

You must treat and varnish all wood to prevent rotting, warping, and splinters.

1. galvanized steel
   aluminum foil
2. brass

Use galvanized steel to make sure your ramp doesn't get rusty and corroded.

1. Nails are more expensive than screws.
   Nails don't always remain in place.
2. Nails are more difficult to use than screws.

Nails sometimes work their way back out of wood, which can injure the user of the ramp, or damage a wheelchair.

1. You must leave room for water to drain.
   You want to reduce the amount of wood you have to buy.
2. You must leave sufficient room to be able to pry out a board if it rots.

If water collects on the surface of the ramp, the ramp will become slippery. For the safety of the users, you must leave enough space between the boards for water to drain.

1. a carefully painted border
   a sharp corner
2. a beveled transition

A beveled transition will help the wheelchair get back to a parallel position without the chair getting stuck on a sharp corner.