January 31, 2013 is coming quickly. It's the deadline for compliance with the updated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) titles concerning pool accessibility. Not only do owners of pools used by the public such as at health clubs, municipal facilities, schools, and hotels or resorts have to have lifts to allow the differently abled access to the pools, they are additionally required to have a secondary means of entrance and exit to and from the water. Rehabmart offers the following ADA-compliant ladders, steps, and ramps to bring them up to code.
The Kalispell Pool Ramp is a great secondary ADA-compliant access option for pools that already have lifts. Its wheels allow for easy movement and make storage a breeze. Each Kalispell ramp is made to fit the customer's individual pool based on the measurements. Safe entrances and exits from the water are ensured by the rust-resistant stainless steel hand rails and the powder- coated ramp's sand-like texture. Fiberglass T-bars reinforce the ramp, providing strength and stability while supporting up to 400 pounds. Mounting hardware is included.
![From library.rehabmart.com](/blogphotos/rehabmart/library/poolramptherapyladder.jpg)
Another secondary entry device is the ADA Compliant Therapy Ladder. It comes in a choice of three to six T-bar reinforced nonslip-coated steps and has a 1.5 inch diameter stainless steel handrail. Polyethylene mesh on the sides and between the risers prevents a user from getting stuck in the open spaces. Four castors allow easy movement along pool walls and facilitate transport to storage areas if needed. Each ladder is custom made to the specifications of the customer's pool measurements.
![From library.rehabmart.com](/blogphotos/rehabmart/library/poolrampaquatrekpoolsteps.jpg)
With its high-quality PVC frame and steps, the Aqua Trek ADA Compliant Pool Steps meet the requirements for secondary entries into both indoor and outdoor pools. Two features help to keep swimmers safe: the attached skirt blocks anyone from getting trapped behind or under it, and the closed risers keep the swimmers' feet on the treads, eliminating the risk of getting caught between the steps.
![From library.rehabmart.com](/blogphotos/rehabmart/library/poolrampaquatrekpoolladder.jpg)
Suitable for aquatic therapy use, the Aqua Trek ADA Compliant Pool Ladder comes with the customer's choice of five to seven steps and is customized to fit the pool. The steps feature generous 24-inch treads with black and yellow nonslip stripes to enhance visibility. It has a PVC-coated metal frame to ensure durability and discourage rust and corrosion as well as castors to allow for easy mobility. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, it can be easily removed for placement into storage or to allow the pool to be cleaned or covered. It complies with ADA guidelines for secondary entries.
For wading pools, the Aqua Trek Wading Pool Ramp meets the requirements for entries into flat or sloping wading pools. It features a nonslip ramp surface to allow safe entry into the water and has black and yellow tape to enhance visibility. Other safety features include a tip-away skirt to prevent users from becoming entrapped in or beneath the ramp, and handrails with bars that can adjust to accommodate bathers of all heights.
Before passage of the ADA, differently abled people had to watch from the sidelines and miss out on simple pleasures like swimming and other aquatic activities. Now with the help of these means of entry and exit, they too may go on in and see how fine the water is for themselves, regardless of physical challenges and disabilities.
Fran Jablway,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO