12/10/2025
With limited space, can you decrease the slope of a modular wheelchair ramp?
Short answer: Not safely — and not if you want it to meet accessibility standards.
For a wheelchair ramp to be safe, comfortable, and code-compliant, the slope must follow recommended guidelines, which is 1:12. For every inch of rise, one foot of ramp is required.
When space is tight, making the ramp steeper may seem like a quick fix. It can be decreased to a minimum of 1:8. Anything lower than this can create serious safety risks.
Here’s what you should know:
♿ Why you shouldn’t decrease the slope:
A steeper ramp becomes difficult to push up and dangerous to control on the way down.
It may no longer meet accessibility or building code standards.
It increases risk of slips, falls, and wheelchair tipping.
📏 What you can do instead:
Add platforms or turns to fit a longer ramp into a smaller footprint.
Use a Vertical Platform Lift (VPL) if ramp length becomes impractical.
Work with experts who can optimize layout while keeping the slope safe and compliant.
At , we design modular wheelchair ramps that are safe, functional, and fully tailored to your space — without compromising accessibility.
