A suitcase wheelchair ramp is not a ramp that needs to be stored inside of your “American Tourister” luggage. It’s really a type of wheelchair ramp that can be folded in half and carried like a suitcase with a handle.

The suitcase wheelchair ramp is designed to help a wheelchair user to maneuver over any spot or location that will not allow a wheelchair to roll over easily. Examples are locations where there is a step or a curb and there is no wheelchair access ramp in sight.

A suitcase wheelchair ramp can usually be used in conjunction with most wheelchair-accessible vehicles. They are convenient to transport because they fold easily, they are usually lightweight, and they can be brought and used almost anywhere to temporarily assist in any situation.

The length of most one-fold suitcase wheelchair ramps are five feet to six feet, and are usually put together with a hinge so that they can easily be folded in half and then unfolded when they are needed.

Most buildings – both commercial and office – are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidelines of the ADA state that buildings such as these must be accessible (both inside and out) for those in wheelchairs. However, if a person in a wheelchair was to visit someone’s home, and stairs lead up to the front door, there will be no way of entering without the help of a wheelchair ramp. This is one of the instances when a suitcase wheelchair ramp can be very useful.

While it seems like suitcase wheelchair ramps may not be as sturdy as a permanent wheelchair ramp, they are designed to be very safe and supportive. They are usually constructed out of aluminum, which contributes to their lightweight and also ensures that they are sturdy. They also usually come with a non-slip surface so that a wheelchair can easily roll up or down without safety concerns.

It is recommended that a suitcase wheelchair ramp be used for steps with a 2” to 10” rise. If the steps in question are higher than 10”, an alternate route into the building should be used if available. Or, a longer suitcase wheelchair ramp may be required.

If a wheelchair ramp longer than five to six feet is needed, many companies also manufacture longer suitcase ramps. Ramps longer than five feet usually need to be folded in threes, so are called “Tri-Fold” ramps. Tri-fold wheelchair ramps are actually easier to carry because they fold up smaller than the single-fold suitcase ramps. They tend to weigh up to 10 pounds more, but may be easier to carry, keep in a vehicle, and be more useful in difficult or tight situations.

Most wheelchair ramp manufacturers have numerous types of suitcase ramps available for sale. They all are built with the same general concept in mind… a transportable ramp that is lightweight, easy to carry, easy to unfold and use, and easy to fold and store. While you can purchase many ramps directly from suppliers via the Internet, there are also stores and warehouses that display the ramps so that people can test them out for themselves and determine which ramp will be the most useful.

The purpose of a suitcase wheelchair ramp is to allow people bound to a wheelchair the mobility they need. If there is a curb or a step in the way, a person in a wheelchair can be stuck. However, if that person has a portable suitcase wheelchair ramp in tow, it will provide the freedom for that person to go where he or she wants and needs to go.