A ramp is an inclined flat access way between one level and another. Ramps are particularly important for people with mobility issues who are either unable or have difficulty accessing stairs, such as those people with physical impairment or people who use a wheelchair.
There are various kinds of ramps including:
- standard ramps- used to negotiate from one level of a building to another where it is not practical or cost effective to use a lift. It has an inclined access way with a gradient steeper than 1 in 20, but not steeper than 1 in 14
- step ramps are usually used to overcome a single step other than a kerb and have a length of no greater than 1520mm and a gradient not steeper than 1 in 8
- kerb ramps are usually used as a gutter crossing or kerb and are not greater than 1520mm with a gradient not steeper than 1 in 8.
The primary Australian Standards relating specifications for ramps is AS 1428.1- Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access - New building work (Standards Australia 2001; Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007).
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
Employers have a responsibility to allow reasonable access to the workplace for their employees. The Disability Discrimination Act (Section 23) makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person with disability by not providing access for use of public premises.
If a ramp is required for access specifically due to a person’s disability and is not something normally supplied by the employer under their Occupational Safety and Health requirements, consideration can be given to applying for funding assistance through the Workplace Modification Scheme. Please refer to the following to determine eligibility:
Relevant Links:
References:
Standards Australia 2001, AS 1428.1, Design for access and mobility, Part 1: General requirements for access – New building work, Standards Australia, Sydney.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to buildings and services: Guidelines and information, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 6 March 2008, <http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/guidelines.htm>.
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission 2007, Access to premises, Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission, Sydney, viewed 6 March 2008, <http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/buildings/access_to_premises.html>.