"RAMP ACCESS MADE POSSIBLE BY STUDENTS" (RAMPS) PROGRAM
Richmond, Virginia Area High Schools.
Richmond, VA, USA.
Program Description
"Besides improving the quality of life for the residents, R.A.M.P.S. also makes a significant economic impact on the community. By keeping people in their homes longer, R.A.M.P.S. has reduced housing costs for recipients who otherwise might have been moved to Medicare or Medicaid funded facilities."
-rampsbystudents.org
Ramp Access Made Possible by Students is a non-profit organization run by students who donate their time off from school to assemble the wheelchair access ramps at the homes of seniors.
Students organize fundraising events in order to purchase the materials needed to build free ramps.
Modular Ramps can be assembled and installed faster than traditional-style wooden ramps, are more versatile and are able to be removed and installed for another home when no longer needed.
An added benefit of the program is the interaction between young adults and seniors promotes intergenerational socialization and communication.
Some of the reported benefits of free ramps installed for the elderly include:
-Seniors taking more trips to get medical care such as doctor's visits and dialysis treatments
-Seniors having increased mobility and more choice in daily activities
-Seniors reconnecting with their friends and communities
-Seniors accessing social service programs
-Seniors being supported to age in place and stay in their own communities rather than having to make a decision of moving into costly assisted living facilities
-Ramps are crucial in the case of emergencies so that elderly and emergency first responders are able to enter and exit the home quickly and safely
Ramp Access Made Possible by Students (RAMPS) partners with:
Project HOMES (formerly Elderhomes) - a non-profit that aims to improve the living conditions of low-income seniors and persons living with a disability.
American Ramp Systems (AMRAMP) -to build safe modular wheelchair ramps.
source:ampsbystudents.org
MORE WHEELCHAIR RAMP AND HOME MODIFICIATION PROGRAMS:
Habitat for Humanity Critical Home Repair Program - Across the USA. Habitat for Humanity provides subsidized critical home repairs and modifications for seniors to allow them to age in place and for those with disability or low income circumstances. A "Brush with Kindness" Program for exterior home beautification and the "Repair Corps for Veterans" Program is also featured.Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) - Across the USA. Federal program providing weatherization assistance to homeowners with the result of lower energy bills and energy use. US Department of Energy.
How to Build Wheelchair Ramps for Homes Program - Available online.
A manual, DVD video and specifications on how to design and build wheelchair ramps for senior and the handicapped.
Rebuilding Together Safe at Home Modification and Repair Program - Across the USA. Provides critical free home repairs, home modifications and home improvements for low-income seniors, adults and family homeowners.
National Directory of Home Modification Repair Resources Program - Across the USA. A directory put together by the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification of hundreds of home modification contractors and assistance with repair resources.
ElderProofHome.com Gift Card Program - Available online. Gift card for seniors to make home repairs and modifications that they may need, but may be hesitant to pay for by themselves. Home modification and repair safety improvements may be made such as: bathroom bars, safety rails, wheelchair ramps, threshold ramps, walkers, motion sensors, security locks, powered chairs, lift Seats, motion sensor stair lights and much more.
Care Assurance System for Aging - CASA Free Wheelchair Program - Alabama, USA. Provides installation of free wheelchair ramps, transportation to medical appointments, home modifications such as installation of grab bars, installing oversized steps and other home repair assistance such as home winterization along with telephone check in calls.
Alaska's Environmental Modification E-Mod Home Accessibility Program - Alaska, USA. Provides seniors and others with free wheelchair ramp or other home modifications and home repair assistance under Alaska Medicaid.
Rebuilding Together Free Ramp and Accessibility Modification Program - Arkansas, USA. Builds free ramps that provide access to senior homeowners and those with disabilities. To ensure that low-income, elderly or disabled are able to experience home safety and independence through home modifications.
Senior Home Repair Program - Baltimore, USA. Seniors with low to moderate income seniors and who have physical disabilities with home repairs assistance, adaptations, maintenance and home modifications to ensure elderly safety at home.
Senior Connections Home Repair Assistance Service Program - Georgia, USA. Helps elderly with free or subsidized home repair assistance and home modifications for eldelry home safety.
Interlink Volunteers Faith in Action Wheelchair Ramp Project Program - Idaho and Washington USA. Free wheelchair ramps built for seniors through individuals, businesses and organization sponsors. Sponsors pay for the construction, installation and volunteer labor of a free wheelchair ramp.
CICOA Aging and In Home Solutions Safe at Home Program - Indianapolis, IN, USA. Once a year volunteers and staff service senior homeowners or those with a disability by making home modifications and repairs to make their homes safe and accessible for daily living.
New Jersey Safe Senior Housing & Transportation Program - New Jersey, USA. Provides minor home modifications, home repair assistance and escorted transportation to seniors living in high crime areas.
New York Environmental Home Modifications (E-mod) Service Program - New York, USA. Home modifications, adaptations and repairs to ensure elderly home safety and the safety of others with disabilities.
New York Access to Home Program - New York, USA. Financial assistance to low- and moderate income frail elderly persons who have difficulty with daily activities and those with disabilities to make home modifications, adaptions and repairs to better meet their needs.
Add-A-Bar Program - Oregon, USA. Home modifications and home repair assistance for eligible elderly, people with physical disabilities and those with low-income. Adaptations for safety may include wheelchair ramps, grab bars, handrails, roof and gutter replacement, window insulation, home weatherization, painting, fences repair, tree removal plumbing and electrical repair.
Dallas Ramp Project Program - Texas, USA. Free handicapped ramps, wheelchair ramps installed for seniors and the disabled. Sponsors have an opportunity to "Adopt a Ramp" for a senior or person with a disability.
Habitat for Safe Seniors Free Ramp Program - Texas, USA. Free handicapped ramps installed for seniors with low or fixed incomes. To ensure elderly home safety and fall prevention and to ensure that emergency responders have access to senior homes in case of emergency.
Home Repair for the Elderly Program - Virginia USA. Provides minor in-home repair assistance to low-income elderly homeowners so that seniors can remain independent in their homes as long as possible. The program provides home modification and repair assistance while ensuring elderly home safety.
Home Adaptations for Senior's Independence Program - Across Canada. Offers financial home repair assistance for home modifications that will help low-income Canadian seniors to age in place in their own homes safely and independently. Also provides a free handy checklist for senior home modification.
HOME MODIFICATION TRAINING PROGRAMS:
USC Executive Certificate in Home Modification Training Program - Across the USA.
Training program for professional remodelers, contractors, planners, occupational and physical therapists, and policymakers representing the elderly and people with disabilities. To help seniors to live independently, have easier mobility and access in their homes while reducing elderly fall accidents.American Society on Aging - Education on Housing, Accessibility & Technology ProgramAvailable online - Education and training for professionals and others on creating better designed accessible senior housing and community and public spaces for the aging population. Innovation and research in the design of products and services for seniors using assistive technology is also a priority to help the aging population.
Certified Aging in Place Specialist Training Program - Across the USA. Additional training for specialists such as contractors, those in construction, architecture, interior design marketing, and more on how to help seniors stay in their homes and age in place.
HOW TO BUILD A RAMP:
Ramps.org - Layout Considerations for Building a Ramp - covers the many factors needed to be considered when deciding on a ramp system. Where to Buy a Ramp and the various choices including: Aluminum Ramps, Portable Ramps, Threshold Ramps, Galvanized Steel Wheelchair Ramps, Concrete Deck Wheelchair Ramps, Van Ramps, Non Skid Treads, Portable, Permanant etc.
Lowes - How to Build A Wheelchair Ramp Guide:
-Considerations before designing and starting construction a wheelchair ramp
-Planning the Ramp
-Home Entry, Space Limitations and Obstacles that Impact Ramp Design
-Ramp Slope and Size
-Building Codes
-Is Ramp Compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design -Handrails and Spindles
-Ramp Materials
Home Wheelchair Ramp Project- How to build RAMPS for Home Accessibility: A Design and Construction Manual covers topics such as:
-Community Participation in building a free ramp
-Ramp Design Overview
-Getting a Ramp Built and Points to Consider
-Good and Bad Ramps
-Slope and Safety of Ramps
-Landings
-Rampway Widths and Running Surface Features
-Layout Issues
-Ramp Construction Methods
-Ramp Codes and Permits
-Boardwalks
-Guardrail/Handrail
-Straight Ramp
-Ramp with Right Angle
-180 Degree Ramp
WATCH VIDEO ON HOW RAMP ACCESS MADE POSSIBLE BY STUDENTS" (RAMPS) PROGRAM WORKS |
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