When a family moves into a new home, the last thing they need is a long wait before their property becomes fully accessible. For one family in Batley, West Yorkshire, the challenge was clear: their son needed safe wheelchair access to resume his vital treatment appointments, and time was of the essence.
Within just one week of the family moving in, Aquadapt had designed, manufactured, and installed a bespoke timber ramp system that would transform their home access, and guarantee them total peace of mind.
The Brief: Speed Without Compromise
The family’s Occupational Therapist approached Aquadapt with a straightforward but urgent request. The client, a young wheelchair user requiring ongoing medical treatment, needed immediate and safe access to and from his home. The existing step threshold created a significant barrier that prevented him from leaving the property independently and attending crucial appointments.
The brief came with two essential requirements: the ramp needed to be installed quickly to minimise disruption to the client’s treatment schedule, and it had to complement the character of the property, a traditional stone-built home with a well-maintained garden.
The Solution: Thoughtful Design, Rapid Delivery
The Aquadapt team, led by installation specialist Toby, worked closely with the family and their OT to develop a solution that would meet both the functional and aesthetic requirements.
The resulting design featured a robust timber ramp with anti-slip decking, constructed with pressure-treated softwood to ensure longevity in the British climate. Sturdy handrails were fitted, providing additional support and safety for the client and reassurance for his mother when assisting with the wheelchair.
The ramp’s gentle gradient allowed for easy wheelchair navigation, whilst the timber cladding around the base integrated seamlessly with the property’s traditional stonework.
Crucially, the entire project, from initial consultation to final installation, was completed within a week of the family moving into their new home. This rapid turnaround ensured minimal disruption to the client’s treatment schedule and allowed the family to settle into their new property without extended accessibility challenges.
The Impact: Independence Restored
Following installation, the Occupational Therapist conducted a thorough assessment with the client and his mother, and the client was assessed as safe to mobilise on the ramp, whilst his mother could confidently assist as required.
The OT’s feedback highlighted not just the functional success of the installation, but its aesthetic quality: “The ramp looks great and is really in keeping with the property and garden.” This attention to design detail matters enormously to families who want accessibility solutions that enhance rather than detract from their homes.
Most importantly, the ramp achieved its primary objective: allowing the client to resume his treatment appointments without delay. For a young person managing ongoing health needs, this continuity of care was invaluable.
Why It Worked: The Aquadapt Approach
This installation demonstrates three core principles: responsive service that delivered full accessibility within a week of move-in, collaborative working with the Healthcare Professional to ensure clinical safety standards, and design sensitivity that made the ramp complement rather than compromise the property’s character.
The Aquadapt team’s skilled installation more than met the brief, producing a ramp system that is both completely safe and aesthetically pleasing.
For this Batley family, the rapid installation quickly restored independence and allowed their son to resume treatment appointments without delay, while the high quality of the finished work gives them complete confidence in its long-term durability and safety.
If you or a family member would benefit from accessible ramping solutions, contact Aquadapt to discuss your requirements. Our team combines rapid response times with thoughtful design to create accessibility solutions that work for your home and your life.
