Wheelchair access project under way

UCOL Masterton are working with ramping specialists Able Axcess and Wairarapa disability spokesman Peter Knighton to provide Wairarapa homes with secondary wheelchair access for free. Photo supplied b

UCOL students will help build a free second ramp in the homes of wheelchair-bound Wairarapa residents as part of a new partnership in the region.

UCOL Masterton are working with ramping specialists Able Axcess and Wairarapa disability spokesman Peter Knighton to provide Wairarapa homes with free secondary wheelchair access.

Mr Knighton who has been organising the project said it was important that homes had two points of access for wheelchair-bound residents for fire safety.

"The Ministry of Health are only legally obligated to supply one wheelchair ramp, but the Fire Service always recommends at least two exits," Mr Knighton said.

"And most of the time the ramp that is put in is near the kitchen, which we all know is where most fires tend to start."

Mr Knighton said Feilding-based company Able Axcess has agreed to donate some spare ramp materials to assist with the project, and UCOL will provide the labour to set up the ramp free of charge.

UCOL carpentry lecturer and master builder Richard Sexton said the project is still in its early stages but he is keen to get underway.

"Peter approached me about a month ago and we've met up and discussed how we should approach the project," he said.

"We've got our first one that we're doing at the moment so I'll be out soon to measure it up and we'll be underway.

"What I'll end up doing is I'll get a couple of carpentry students to volunteer on Fridays to come down and give me a hand and we'll fit it that way.

"And it's great experience for the students to have a real hands on job."

Mr Sexton said he was able to commit to helping out with the installation of a couple of wheelchair ramps each year and hopes that it will be an ongoing project.

"Peter has indicated that this will be an ongoing thing so we might get one or two a year and hopefully it will continue on like that for a wee while.

Mr Sexton said another community project that UCOL is involved with the House Build for charity which raised $15,000 for Wairarapa Hospice and $5000 for Life Flight Trust last year.