Ideas on how to make house entrance accessible for friend in a wheelchair?

[TracyIdaho]

Hi, Everyone! I have a new friend from church that I'm inviting to a party next week. My home is not wheelchair accessible. There are two stairs leading up to our wraparound front porch. All other entrances have two steps. Any ideas for me? Thanks! I would like for her to feel welcome and at home.

Tracy

 

[SueM in MN]

I guess my suggestion would be to ask her.
Let her know that you really want her to come and that you need some help figuring out how she will get in.

As far as actually getting in, a lot depends on the exact set up of your two steps. She's possibly dealt with the same type of situation before.
My DD is small (for a young adult) and between my DH and I or my other DD and I, we can usually get her in someplace if it's only 2 steps. Someone larger or with a heavier wheelchair would have more problem (and we would if we brought her power wheelchair). Your new friend might possibly have a portable ramp. Anyone who lives in a wheelchair expects that most people do not have accessible homes. I think that she will appreciate a new friend who is making an effort to try to make her feel so welcome.
Hopefully, you'll get some other ideas.

There were so many spelling mistakes on this, I just had to edit it (so much for typing after midnight in a dark room).

 

[Nanajo1]

Hi,
Sue is right. Invite your friend then ask what would be the easiest way for her to get into your home. She probably has dealt with access issues and may have a plan she's used before.
Good luck with finding a workable solution. I try to have an "if then" plan when I travel with my chair. If there are stairs then I will do such and such. I'm sure your friend will appreciate the invite and your concern that she can attend.

 

[TracyIdaho]

Thanks, SueM and Nanajo. I will just ask her--what an idea! lol
I think I just needed some words to say. Thank you for taking the time to respond!

15 days till our WDW trip! Yippeee!!

Tracy

 

[Michigan]

My girls can't stand at all and lifting the 13 year old is out of the question for me she is 5 foot tall and 115 pounds so there is no way. If her chair can be bumped up on a porch she has someone spread out a old blanket or tarp so she can crawl up and into the house and then someone brings her chair in the house.

 

[winniedapooh]

DS is in a wheelchair and we have 2 steps to go up into our house. We got a set of ramps from father-in-law that he uses for his pick-up to put his lawn mower and snow blower on and off. You can make them or buy them. They also sell inexpensive sturdy portable ones. Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[TracyIdaho]

Thanks, Winniedapooh!

 

[LindaDVC]

we had two portable ramps that now are difficult to use-- seems that all the new power chairs have narrow front tires that do not line up with the back ones (probably a better way to say that)

So we no longer can use those ramps and most of the one piece ramps are pretty bulkey to carry around in the van.

Linda

 

[JeannieNM]

I am middle age women in a manuel wheelchair.

When I visit friends I get up there steps by:

1) I have someone assist me from behind. I pop a "wheelie" (first make sure if they have tippy bars they are flipped up) which is rocking back on the back wheels --if there is room I land on the front wheels on the first step and have the person behind me push me up and on. If the step is narrow then I hope the front wheels to the edge of the second step and then the person behind pushes and lifts and up we go. The chair provides leverage so I can do this with one other girlfriend and I am not a small women.
When I leave I go down the stairs backwards again with someone behind me to stabilize me. I help control the speed and the person in back slowly rolls me down the stairs on the back wheels.

2) Friends have built ramps out of ply wood and 2X4s. I always have someone help push me up and back down on home made ramps because they are sometimes steep or uneven. If the ramp is steep have your friend go down it backwards.

If your friend uses an electric chair it will take a different approach.

As others have said your friend will have her method unless sheis very new to the chair.

God Luck
Jean

 

[TracyIdaho]

Thanks, Jean! My friend wasn't able to make it to my party, but I'm hoping to have her over soon. Your tips are very helpful.

Blessings,
Tracy in Idaho

 

[SueM in MN]

thanks for the update.
I was curious how things worked out.