Ramp and Entryway Modifications for Safer Home Access

Home Modifications / Ramps & Entryways
Occupational therapist approved

Ramp and Entryway Modifications for Safer Home Access

If getting in and out of the house is hard, everything else gets harder: appointments, errands, seeing people. These home modifications reopen the front door.

The short answer

What are ramp and entryway modifications?

Ramp and entryway modifications remove the barriers between the door and the world: threshold ramps for small lips and single steps, portable or permanent wheelchair ramps for stairs, sturdy railings on both sides, motion-sensor lighting, and level, non-slip walking surfaces. The right choice depends on the height of the rise and whether the person uses a walker or wheelchair.
How an OT thinks about it

Match the ramp to the rise

1

Measure the rise

The rise is the total height from the ground to the door level. A door threshold might be 1 to 2 inches. A porch with three steps might be 20 inches or more.

2

Use the 1:12 rule

Plan about one foot of ramp length for every inch of rise. A 4 inch rise needs roughly a 4 ft ramp. Steeper than that is unsafe for wheelchairs and exhausting for walker users.

3

Small rise: threshold or suitcase ramp

Rises up to about 7 inches are usually solved with a portable suitcase ramp or threshold ramp, no construction needed.

4

Bigger rise: permanent ramp with railings

Multiple steps call for a built ramp with railings on both sides, a landing at the door, and a non-slip surface. That is a contractor project, and we can connect you with one.

5

Light the whole path

Motion-sensor lights at the door, on the steps, and along the walkway prevent the after-dark falls that entryways are known for.

OT-vetted equipment

Ramps and entryway gear our OTs recommend

Portable ramps ship to your door. Pick the length that matches your rise.

3 foot suitcase ramp

3 ft Suitcase Ramp, up to 4 inch rise

$192.00
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4 foot suitcase ramp

4 ft Suitcase Ramp, up to 6 inch rise

$250.49
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5 foot suitcase ramp

5 ft Suitcase Ramp, up to 7 inch rise

$300.00
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Motion sensor battery operated lights

Motion Sensor Night Lights

$19.99
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Getting handrails installed referral

Get Handrails Installed

Free referral
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Portable grab handle

Grab Handle

$15.30
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Need a permanent wheelchair ramp built?

AskSAMIE connects you with vetted home modification contractors through our partnership with VGM Live at Home. The referral is free.

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Go deeper

Ramp guides from our OTs

How-to

Your Guide to Using a Suitcase Ramp for Wheelchairs

Read the guide →
Paying for it

How to Get Financial Help for Home Modifications to Age in Place

Read the guide →
Good questions

Ramp and entryway questions families ask

The standard guideline is one foot of ramp length for every inch of rise, called the 1:12 slope. So a 6 inch rise needs about a 6 ft ramp, and a 24 inch porch needs about 24 ft of ramp with landings. Steeper ramps are harder to push up and unsafe coming down.
Portable suitcase ramps work well for rises up to about 7 inches, for renters, and for travel. A permanent ramp is the better choice for a primary entrance with multiple steps, daily wheelchair use, or anyone who needs railings for support. Many families use both: a built ramp at home and a folding ramp in the car.
Any ramp with a rise over about 6 inches, or any ramp used by someone who walks rather than rolls, should have railings on both sides. Railings turn a ramp from a wheelchair path into a safe walking path for everyone, including caregivers carrying groceries.
Motion-sensor lighting at the door and along the path, handrails at any remaining steps, a bench or shelf to set bags down while unlocking the door, high-visibility step edges, and a level threshold. Repair uneven walkway sections, since a lifted sidewalk slab is one of the most common outdoor trip hazards.

Open the front door back up

Tell SAMIE about your entryway and get the right ramp, railing, and lighting plan. Part of our complete guide to home modifications.