I think this is a good question

I think that every public building should have a ramp and steps for people to enter and exit a building. This also goes for apartment buildings, restaurants,and any building that people go in and out of. The steps need to be there for the ones that need or want to use them and the ramps for those of us that can not use the steps.

I think it's an excellent question and years ago, I had thought the same thing. When a new building is being built and the cost of building both seems to be too much, then why not just build the ramp? It's not just walking, it's shipments, people have to bring stuff in on dollies or other things on wheels and they can't do steps or stairs, but they can do ramps. Also, it is usually easier to shovel a ramp than stairs. Because of the distance of the ramps, people are more likely to build enclosures because shoveling that much is harder. I've been to places where the steps were shoveled, but not the ramps. They could shovel and salt the steps quickly, but not the ramps. But almost everyone at some point in their lives needs a ramp, sprained foot, broken leg, bad hip, arthritis, doesn't have to be someone born with a disability or someone who was paralyzed in a car accident. People with probelms with balance can have difficulty with stairs such as Parkinsons, inner ear problems, one leg longer than another, etc. I have had a sprained toe, ankle, and back. Each time I was thankful for ramps that were in good enough condition to use. It's the law to have both in new buildings here, but many old buildings can grandfather in. My friend has a ramp to her building, but I challenge anyone to be able to use it. She doesn't understand that and she has lost business. He ramp is huge, but the train car she has her business in is several feet off the ground, so it goes all around the train car and the first almost verticle up is impossible for most people. In college, we had disability day, they had people pick a disability out of a hat, and even people pretending to be blind (eyes bandaged up) had a rough time with stairs. Someone tells you there are three steps, but unless you use a cane and are used to judging it, how far do you pick your leg up? You have to use the toe of your shoe if someone else is leading you and many steps have a slight lip or bumpout at the top to slide your toe around. I think every architect, building designer, construction worker, and business owner should have to go through disability day, not just future teachers. I think councilors, social worker, heck everybody should have to go through disability day. Even people with disabilities should have to go through trying a different disability for a day. Walk a mile in my shoes is still the best!

That is a very good question. I have no idea though. It does seem to be easier for people and makes alot more sense to me also, especially since there are people in wheel chairs who need it also.

Great question, my dear...and Iwould guess the answer to this, is tied up, somewhere in the same kind of bureaucracy that you just experienced with Driver's License & Insurance! LOL! I don't think the word "logic" is imparted anywhere in the vocubulary of planners, architects...or the likes! I think all the building codes are as old as "Moses!" I will be away for 4 days (taking a mini-holiday~~~first in 4 1/2 years)..so will be away from the 'puter for 4 days, unless I can learn to use my sons laptop! Catch up with you, when I get back~~~do you think I can last 4 days in Vancouver?LOL! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend...do KNOW you are thought of often! Cheers!

Way back when I was in a two story US Army hospital in Germany that didn't have steps. It had ramps about 10' wide going from one floor to the other. There was a lot of people in wheel chairs that needed to go from one floor to the other. There was no stairs and no elevator. The top floor was living quarters and the bottom floor was for treatment. Art

You know I have often wondered about this myself. I am one of those that if I see a ramp and no one is on it I will take the ramp first. I believe that when we see a ramp,it's looks easier to climb then those stairs. It is a mind thing. Although I believe if the business would observe their building they would see that the ramp gets more attention. My other ideal on this is that with all ramps in business it would show no difference between the handicap and those of us who have no physical handicap.

I will take the steps, because I need the exercise and I do wonder why some who could take the steps, take the ramp. The ramp was for people who have difficulty in walking, or are in wheelchairs or those motorized wheelchairs. I think that the reason is that we do need the exercise, and climbing stairs are better for that. Also there is the case of slippery weather. On a ramp you will slide down, therefore you have to also build railings. The railings are designed for the wheelchair person or the attendant to hold on to. So it would cost more. Not only that, because ramps are for people who cannot walk that good, i.e. those in wheelchairs or the scooters, the doors at the top of the ramp have to be wider and have the automatic opening, whereas with the stairs, you just need an ordinary door.

Good question. I don't know but I do know that many times ramps take up more space than stair so maybe there is not enough room at buildings?

It is a good question. It might be that ramps take up more room, or it may be as simple as "we've always done it this way".

Good question. I think the reason is because stairs take up a lot less space than ramps. Even though there still needs to be a ramp even when there are stairs, it can be smaller, and narrower if it is not the primary means of access to a building. Also, when there are several entrances to buildings, only one needs to have a ramp, making stairs the logical choice for all other entrances because they do take up a lot less space. I have noticed that some people who are capable of using stairs use ramps, but still a majority use the stairs, from what I have seen.

That just makes too much sense, grandma. I think it's a wonderful idea! Too bad the architects haven't consulted you. Seriously, they'd cut the cost of a building by just putting in ramps and not stairs.

GOOD MORNING , RAMPS ARE CERTAINLY A BIG HELP TO ME. sTAIRS ARE REALLY HARD FOR ME & I TRY NOT TO GO PLACES THAT HAVE A BUNCH. yOURS IS A VERY GOOD IDEA. I hope people will think about that we they go to build anything. Saw on another reponse of your that ur b-day is dec. 2 , mine is dec, 3rd. Knew u were good folks, lol.

If I had to choose between a ramp and the steps I would choose the steps. Even if I were walking with my cane I'd choose the steps. Ramps are nice, but in inclement weather they might be too slippery for most people. If those people slipped and injured themselves then the business would be sued as they are liable. That's the only reason I can see for not having ramps instead of steps At least with steps, they normally have a hand rail so if your foot slipped you can still be upright if you are hanging onto the rail

i have always wondered this myself....especially in places like a post office because it should be accessable by everyone,..i knoticed that alot of places dont have any means for people with disabilities to enter and not alot of buisnesses have this kind of consideration...i think that like u sed anyone is capable of walkin up a ramp and that they should atleast have both at buisinesses...especially the federal and town building like post office and town office...municiple buildings ex...why dont people think of the disabled...i know alot of buisness dont have to money to put in a ramp and i understand that...but the federal and state building dont have any excuces.....

Here are some of my thoughts on the subject. Stairs have been around forever, the ramps were added later. Ramps take up more room then the stairs. Hey Lady, its nice seeing you, I hope you are well and that things are going good for you. Take care.

We need the stairs for the young and young at heart. I still use the stairs for mygrand daughter loves them

Excellent point. And I have absolutely no idea. But I can tell you I'll be asking a lot of people that now that you brought it up.

Stairs tend to be faster to go up than a ramp. And ramps in most places were added after the building was built due to the American disabilities act. I think stairs are traditional...and on icy days they are easier to navigate.

I think this is an excellent question. I mean think what the construction savings would be alone - rather than having 'both' why not just go with what would provide access for the 'most'. Only reason I can figure would be in 'tight places' steps may take up less space than a ramp - not really sure on that except for comparing local mall we have one section where there is a raised portion which has both steps and ramp - the ramp is probably 3 times as long as the steps area, their side by side.

I think most buildings have been there for a while. And there is some question of cost of building the ramps. This has been an ongoing battle even for the disabled. COmes down the the $$$. It's a real shame.