• Stairs pose as a difficult obstacle for individuals with disabilities.behindertengerecht? image by Digitalpress from Fotolia.com
  
  Georgia code regulations for handicapped ramps is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was amended in1990 and requires that anyone with a disability not be discriminated or excluded from access to public services, activities or programs of a public nature. This in turn allows specific ramp regulations to exist for individuals with disabilities to gain access to public structures. Specific slope, width and safety requirements are included in the code regulations for handicap ramps.
  
  

Slope

• Some wheelchairs are electrically powered.man in wheelchair image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  The most important feature of a handicap ramp is its slope. If the slope is too high it becomes difficult for the user to get up it easily and can present danger of slipping backwards if the user becomes too tired to continue. If the incline on the ramp is too gradual and the distance too long, this can defeat the purpose of the ramp, which is supposed to give individuals with disabilities convenient and safe access without too much exertion. The code requires that a wheelchair ramp not be any higher than a 1:33 ratio. This means that the ramp should be 33 feet in length for every foot in height.
  
  

Width

• Door handles should be easy to turn and low enough to reach.door knob image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
  
  Georgia code regulations require that any ramp meet specific width requirements in order to be considered ADA approved. All ramps should have a width of no less than 36 inches. Wheelchair ramps should also have bases or landings at the bottom of the ramp and at the top of the ramp so that the person may be level beginning to end. The landing width should be no less than width of the ramp, 36 inches. The entrance door to the building should also have an access of no less than 32 inches from the landing if the door opens outward.
  
  

Safety

• Handicap signs should designate access areas.handicap image by laurent gehant from Fotolia.com
  
  All handicap ramps should be free of any trash or debris. No type of obstacles, such as boxes or other large items, should be placed on the ramp at any time. The condition of the ramp's surface should never be slippery or soft, since this could create a safety hazard and make it difficult for the wheelchair to maneuver effectively. Handrails should be placed on each side of the ramp at a minimum height of 34 inches from the floor of the ramp. All handicap parking needs to be within a short distance of the access ramp.