Back toAsk Katie & Steve

Question for Katie & Steve

Hi, I'm having trouble defining a switchback or dogleg ramp...can you tell me the difference? I need to add handrails to my ramp. Thank you - Becky

Hi Becky,

A dogleg would be an "L" shape, a ramp that comes straight out from the door, goes straight for several feet then turns at a ninety degree angle to the right or left, thus forming an L shape.

A "switch-back" ramp would go out from your door to a platform (at least 3 feet by 3 feet)and then it would travel parallel to your house at a grade of one foot out for every inch in height off the ground (1 to 12 ratio)this part of the ramp would come to another 3' X 3' platform and then the ramp would continue its decline in front of the first part of the ramp (like a zig-zag.) The switch-back ramp is for taller door heights, but you need more room to put the ramp in front of the door.

For more information contact the ADA Project at www.adaproject.org.

Thanks for your question!