Question about equipment, not just at Disney

[leebee]

I'm trying to plan a family reunion for next summer on the coast of Maine. My sister has CP and struggles mightily with getting up stairs, so I'm thinking about renting a ramp or something like that. Is it even possible? What category of store should I be searching for? I keep coming up with boarding ramps for boats and not what I'm looking for, so I think I am doing a lousy search. While this isn't Disney-related, I know you guys are pros on making vacation travel possibly for folks with physical challenges so thought I'd ask here.

 

[lanejudy]

Are you thinking a ramp for outdoor steps — like to get into the house? How many steps and how steep? A ramp that is too steep may not be safe. For example, a proper sloped ramp to replace just 3 steps is approx. 20 ft long.

That said, hopefully someone else has suggestions. Here’s a couple of sites I found by searching “rent a wheelchair ramp in Maine”
https://amramp.com/maine/
https://www.maineaccessibility.com/Products/Rentals/Ramps/

 

[glocon]

Lowes and Home Depot sell ramps, but no super long ones.

 

[leebee]

Story: My sister has cerebral palsy and is 58 years old. She lives in NOLA but "home" is York Beach, Maine. I think she's been home maybe 5 times since 1989 as travel becomes more and more limited as her mobility and balance decline. She can walk with her crutches in the house still but when we go out she uses her chair. When we visited her and BIL in July, one thing she wistfully said was that she'd like to get home one more time before she dies. I'm hoping to be able to make that "one more time" work next summer.

We are currently renting a rustic beach house that is mostly accessible; we just have to figure how to get her into the house. The ramp is needed to traverse 2 steps and then a mini-step onto the deck. Total vertical height is 19". Helpfully, there is a 4' level here that, so I can get a visual of what might be possible when I lean it from the surface to the top of the steps. I think 5' would be the minimum that we could roll her chair up. She wouldn't be attempting to use her crutches on this- no way would I feel comfortable, and I'm sure she wouldn't either.

Anyhow... I'm going to keep looking, but one of the links that @lanejudy shared has a location in Kittery, which is the next town south of York. DH and I might pay them a visit while we are here to see what is possible. This is all still a glimmer of a plan; I don't want my sister to get excited about coming home if we can't make it work. So far, I've not had success finding a house that is accessible from outside with a "big enough" bathroom and bedroom on the first floor, so this might be our option, if we can swing it. I'm also going to keep viewing houses. Thanks for your help, and if anyone has any suggestions or ideas, I'm happy to hear them.

 

[elvispursley]

Is her WC manual or power? When I worked as an OT, for a couple of steps, we would teach the family how to bump up/down the stairs with the wheelchair. I don’t ever recall ramps being available for rent when I’d would order DME. Is there anyone in your family that can help with “bumping”? There’s some good videos online if needed. Good luck!

 

[voxparse]

They don't rent but if you wanted to buy something check out spinlife.com.

 

[rolling2adventures]

Good Evening, though I know that this is an older post and hopefully this can help you if you haven't figured out a solution yet. I thought I had a disb account but honestly forget so had to start a new one.
There is an awesome Travel Company out of Southern NH called Travel Escapes one of the owners is a Disabled Veteran & belongs to Paralyzed Vets of America. They not only help people book trips but they also have connections for equipment. I can't remember if was in person or a webinar but they did a presentation & like they mentioned about getting equipment from lifts (hoyer) to ramps and I got to wondering/thinking where not only do they travel themselves (as mentioned one owner is paralyzed) but being in NH they might have connections for equipment or anything else you may need they might be able to help you out also might have suggestions of things you might overlooked like we talked to them about a cruise & they thought of things we never thought of. Also they might have ideas of things to do bc I do know seacoast in both states improve or make things more accessible (personally more of a lake person but met friends at a beach in NH & they put in a wooden walkway in not sure when as I don't go by there but like other places have beach chairs. Like they might know of the latest accessible places. Like I had an event near South Portland yr or so ago & they suggested a Hilton brand of hotel bc they don't have carpet or there minimal & true ada rooms[very frustrating though w hotels now know to ask or though it's changed but like one of the rental house companies used to allow owners to put their property was accessible like there was on in PA OH it was accessible floor plan but there was 2 flights of stairs in between. Having a brain fart but the 2 bigger ones have changed this & one actually has people who will go & check them like the secret shopper thing but it's secret traveler & they will go stay for a weekend & do a review which is huge like luckily that trip wasn't ruined bc was able to find a place but if it wasn't for bad experiences that would of been a nightmare or like a stay in NYC the hotel was under 95 ada code which only requires grab bars in bathroom but not wider doors. Fortunately at Disney there's a Military Owned/run hotel & in non neg way but have way to many opts, it's like getting spoiled as they go above & beyond which is a stress relief)

Lastly not sure if it's allowed but worse case scenario I'm like an hour or so south of Kittery, & have portable ramps (know one is 6ft foldable portable but in shed which is buried in snow lol but Ive given & lent others to friends) they get used but not as much & from dealing with challenges myself and know how it can effect a trip/life usually have a smaller one for curbs in vehicle. Also given the situation what your planing if you can't find a solution it's not a bad drive. As a dis vet & med retired pub saf I've been fortunate for many amazing people over the yrs if potential pay it fwd will try.

Good luck & I hope your able to get this trip in though situation diff but know how much it means to be able to get away & not worry about things except for having fun & relaxing.

 

[Finley]

If it were me, I’d look up ADA ramp rentals or wheelchair ramp hire in the Maine area. There are companies that rent modular ramps for houses and events.