The Ohio State University

ECOS completed its third wheelchair ramp in February 2008. This ramp was for a Columbus City resident who recently suffered a stroke. This ramp was our most advanced thus far. It incorporated two turns and an intermediate landing in order to not disturb a pristine front yard. The ramp cost $1,700 to build. These funds were received from an OSU Source grant. A unique thing about this ramp is that it was built in the dead of winter when weather conditions were not what we would call “ideal”! Many volunteers helped with the various stages of the ramp. These include:

• Plotting out the general course of the ramp and taking appropriate measurements to ensure best use of the land, as well as convenient access for the user of the ramp to the driveway
• Creating a 2-D sketch of the ramp in CAD
• Digging holes using this sketch that are approximately 32” deep and 12” in diameter, and digging a hole for the concrete pad with which the ramp will connect
• Mixing and pouring concrete for each of the holes and the pad
• Construction of the platforms of the wheelchair ramp, one as an intermediate resting spot, and the other adjacent to the doorway
• Construction of the inclined sections connecting the two platforms to each other, and the intermediate platform to the concrete pad
• Adding “finishing touches,” such as balustrades, toe rails and hand rails
• Taking pictures throughout the process for a visual record of progress

The ramp was completed on March 1, 2008, after 8 separate trips out to site. Thanks so much to everyone who helped out:

Design
Jamie Hilovsky

Building Crew

The wheelchair ramp was also the focus of a story in the Lantern. At the moment there are no plans to build another wheelchair ramp in the near future, but please contact Alex Wohlgemuth, the co-VP of Local Projects, at ecos.localprojects[at]gmail.com if interested in helping out should the opportunity arise.