Wheelchair ramps may look to be all the same, but anyone who is in a wheelchair knows that the type of ramp certainly makes a difference. It can be the difference between attending an event, getting into a building or making it from their vehicle to the sidewalk.

There exists many different varieties of wheelchair ramps, and each type of ramp serves a slightly different purpose. Some ramps are portable, some are placed permanently on the ground, and there are even wheelchair ramps designed for a specific style of wheelchair.

Wheelchair Ramps

Roll-up Wheelchair Ramps

These ramps can be rolled up for easy transport from one place to the next. It is also fairly easy to store since it rolls up to a smaller size. Roll-up wheelchair ramps are almost always made from aluminum.

Threshold Wheelchair Ramps

Typically used inside a person's home, in an office building or sometimes outdoors, the Threshold Wheelchair Ramps allow someone to roll over large barriers or bumps with ease. Because they are made from aluminum, these ramps are lightweight and can even be moved around if necessary.

Suitcase Wheelchair Ramps

Sometimes called "multi-fold" wheelchair ramps because the ramp is actually able to be folded up more than one time in order to store it in a small area. When folded, it has a handle so it can be carried like a suitcase- hence, the name "suitcase wheelchair ramps".

Telescoping Wheelchair Ramps

Telescoping ramps actually perform exactly like they sound. If a longer ramp is needed, they can be pulled out much like a telescope to extend the ramp and fix the situation.

Track Wheelchair Ramps

As the name implies, the Track wheelchair ramps actually have a track built into the ramp. Electric and standard type wheelchairs can fit their wheels intot he tracks to make sure the wheelchair does not go off the side of a ramp.

Single-Fold Wheelchair Ramps

This style of wheelchair ramp typically folds down the center, so they are larger than multi fold (suitcase) ramps, but are still fairly easy to transport from one place to the next. The handle helps carry the folded ramp. The idea is a single-fold wheelchair ramp can be stored inside the trunk of a vehicle to be taken out as needed.

Van Wheelchair Ramps

Needed to push a wheelchair into or out of a van, whether they are electric or manual wheelchairs. Van wheelchair ramps can be electric or manual themselves and feature a non-slip surface material to help make sure the wheelchair doesn't roll off the ramp before it has reached the ground.

Wheelchair ramps make it possible for people in a wheelchair to go wherever people who walk can go. They make it possible to take a vehicle from one place to the next, and possible to visit friends who don't have handicapped accessible housing.

There is nothing more frustrating to individuals in a wheelchair than when people who are not handicapped park in the designated handicapped areas. Sometimes their laziness causes a wheelchair-bound person to have to assemble a wheelchair ramp in order to get around an area that would not have been necessary had the irresponsible person not parked in the wrong spot.

There are many varieties of wheelchair ramps in order to help wheelchair bound individuals in different situations. It may be advantageous for people who require wheelchairs to own a few different styles of wheelchair ramps so that they can use them in as many different situations that they may be presented with.