Pittsburghers Open 101 Mobility to Improve Mobility Across Western PA

Greg Slepecki, Franchise Owner and his son Brad are proud to announce the opening of 101 Mobility Pittsburgh. These Pittsburgh natives are committed to helping Western Pennsylvania families improve their mobility inside and outside of the home. 101 Mobility Pittsburgh represents 101 Mobility’s 22^nd national franchise opening.

101 Mobility Pittsburgh is a locally owned, family operated business. The Slepeckis were born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and understand the unique mobility needs of residents from the rough, hilly Pittsburgh terrain. They explained how most homes in the area are two to three level homes with upstairs bathrooms and downstairs kitchens, making stair lifts a must-have for those who plan to successfully age in place.

This charismatic father and son team have seen first-hand how people with mobility challenges have become an under-served demographic. It is their goal to provide the reliable mobility solutions that every Pittsburgh resident should have at their fingertips. Greg adds,

“The residents of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas are good people, blue-collar families who just want to stay in the home that they raised their children in.”

Greg recalled a personal experience with his late mother to describe how his parents relied on a stair lift to age comfortably in their home,

“My mother was nearly blind to the point of counting steps…she would count each step as she climbed the stairwell. We searched everywhere for something to help and there was no go-to name or business for mobility equipment in Pittsburgh; I think there is a general lack of awareness for what’s available.”

Prior to joining the 101 Mobility family, Greg Slepecki worked in one of Pittsburgh’s oldest companies as the President of Matthew’s International Architectural Group. He ran seven international manufacturing plants from Australia to Canada, California and New York. From constructing the memorial for Elvis Presley’s grave to engraving super bowl trophies, Greg has been a part of it all. Son, Brad Slepecki is experienced in disaster restoration/construction with a talent for exemplary customer care and relationship building. Brad will join the service and sales teams as Greg oversees the operation. The Slepeckis are also happy to have Primio LaLama join their 101 team as the top sales and technical person.  Primio has been providing Pittsburgh families with 101 Mobility products for over three years.

Brad and Greg believe that their broader breadth of mobility products ranging from wheelchair ramps to porch lifts and more, in-depth product knowledge and franchise support system which allows for more ingenuity, will give them an upper hand over any competition. This Pittsburgh duo is working hard to brand themselves as the number one source for accessibility solutions across Western Pennsylvania with the goal of becoming a household name.

Call 412.428.9485 or visit http://pittsburgh.101mobility.com/ for assistance or additional information.

Best Wheelchair Lifts for Your Porch or Deck

If you or a loved one uses a wheelchair or experiences difficulty with steps, there are now a variety of mobility solutions to choose from, including ramps, vertical platform lifts, incline platform lifts and even outdoor stair lifts. These products significantly increase outdoor independence; Yet, many people are unaware of the outdoor accessibility options available.

Gordon Raney, Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and the owner/operator of 101 Mobility franchises in Tulsa and Dallas, has a few guidelines to help you pick the best product to meet your mobility needs:

Wheelchair Ramps

Best for? Ramping is the most common way to address accessibility issues within the home. They are perfect for individuals using wheelchairs, scooters, or who simply struggle with stairs.  Folding ramps provide a solid threshold over smaller steps or curbs. More substantial modular ramps are suggested for higher landings.

How much ramp will I need? For every inch of vertical rise, a foot of ramp is necessary. The slope of your property will also dictate the amount of ramping needed. If your property is sloped downhill, more ramping will be needed to create a steady incline and vice versa.

How will I maintain it? Aluminum EZ Access Ramps require basically no maintenance; no rust, rot or decay. Aluminum modular ramps can be disassembled, moved, and easily rebuilt should families move or decide to re-sell.

Incline Platform Lifts (aka Wheelchair Lifts)

Best for? An incline lift may be a viable option for those who have difficulty making transfers to and from their chair or scooter.

How do I use the incline platform lift? The lift includes a large platform onto which the individual can drive their wheelchair or scooter. The platform then follows the incline of the stairs by a rail installed into the staircase, not the wall.

Do I have the space for it? Incline platform lifts generally work well with larger staircases as enough space for the platform to stop at top and bottom landings is required. Keep in mind that average platform size is 28” x 36” and they fold up when not in use.

Vertical Platform Lifts (aka Porch Lifts)

Best for? The platforms are large enough for a wheelchair or scooter; similar to the incline lift, vertical platform lifts are great options for people who are unable to independently make transfers from their chair.

How is this different from an incline lift? Vertical Platform Lifts are essentially mini platforms that lift in a vertical fashion as opposed to an incline platform lift which follows the route of the stairs. Vertical platforms lifts are generally used for porches.

When should I choose a vertical platform lift over a wheelchair ramp? Porch lifts take up considerably less space than wheelchair ramps and certain models enable the user to travel up to two stories high. At approximately 30” of vertical rise, a wheelchair ramp would need to be 30 feet long and likely contain 2 landing platforms.  At this point, it becomes more cost effective to opt for a porch lift instead of a modular wheelchair ramp.

Outdoor Stair Lifts

Best for? Outdoor stair lifts are ideal for someone who is able to walk but experiences difficulty with stairs.

How does an outdoor stair lift work? Similar to indoor stair lifts, they safely transport a person from ground to porch by following the route of the stair case.

How do I keep it protected from the elements? Outdoor stair lift models have marine-grade vinyl seats and other standard features to withstand weather conditions. Ordering a cover to keep the lift free of any dirt or debris is recommended, especially if you live in an area where it frequently snows and rains.

Still have questions? No problem, find your nearest 101 Mobility location by clicking here. Learn more from Gordon Raney about accessibility enhancing modifications in an upcoming post. Stay tuned!

Get Long-term and Emergency Ramping Solutions from 101 Mobility Today!

When disaster strikes, you need a company to respond quickly to address your commercial or retail accessibility needs.  Our aluminum modular ramp systems are the perfect modular ramp system for almost any site.

101 Mobility is here to make sure you do not have to compromise on the quality. We use only high quality, safe, low maintenance aluminum with all of our ramp installations. Our ramps are specially designed for easy installation and most all ramp configurations can be installed in less than 30 minutes.

Whether your needs are long or short term, your local 101 Mobility location can meet your needs. We offer a comprehensive ramp rental program for short term rental needs that will help you to get up and running after a disaster. Ramp rentals can be as short as one day or as long as you need. Ramp rentals include:

• Setup
• Take down
• Clean up of the installation area after setup and take down
• No permanent impact to the property because our ramps do not generally require concrete footings or pads.

All of our ramps feature a permanent, non-skid surface for the safety of all who use the ramp. Our ramps also feature finished and flush sides that do not have any nuts or bolts protruding into the usable ramp area. These ramps are designed for maximum flexibility and can be expanded, moved or reconfigured as needed. All 101 Mobility ramps are made in the USA and can be recycled after use.

Call your local 101 Mobility for a quality, economical and quick ramp solution today!

Did You Know 101 Mobility Installs Modular Wheelchair Ramps?

When you need more than a portable ramp for your home, the best solution is a modular wheelchair ramp. The modular wheelchair ramp offers the durability and strength of a wooden structure without the lengthy construction time and maintenance hassles. The modular wheelchair ramps from 101 Mobility can be installed as a permanent or semi-permanent structure at your home and offer you the design flexibility and easy installation you want in a ramp.

With a modular ramp from 101 Mobility, you get a ramp that requires less hardware and no preassembly. Our modular wheelchair ramps are made from aluminum and are designed for durability and to withstand the elements. The sides are flush and finished so you don’t have to worry about any sharp edges protruding into the usable ramp space. They are completely safe for everyone to use. Our expert staff will design the ramp to work with the entrance to your home so that the configuration is easy to use and maneuver with your wheelchair or scooter.

Our certified trained installers can have your wheelchair ramp installed in just a couple of hours. Installation is quick and easy because the ramps, handrails, and platforms all come preassembled. We don’t need to anchor our modular wheelchair ramps into concrete footings or pads. They come with integrated independently adjustable supports making installation on any surface simple and straight forward. Our professional installers are adept at ensuring your ramp will be secure and safe for all who use it.

Need to have your ramp removed or relocated to another entrance? No problem. We can do that too. That is one of the real benefits of modular wheelchair ramps; they can be easily removed, reassembled, and used again without any trouble at all.

The modular wheelchair ramp you purchase from 101 Mobility will come with an extruded skid resistant surface for safety and will be 36” wide. Our ramps have an 850 pound weight capacity. Their low maintenance design can even be custom colored to complement the exterior of your home.

To learn more about our selection of modular wheelchair ramps, please contact the 101 Mobility location nearest you.

The Many Advantages of Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps

If you or someone you love is in a wheelchair or uses a scooter, a ramp is a necessity. Finding and installing the right wheelchair ramp is essential. The best wheelchair ramp is determined not just based on the initial purchase and installation cost. When deciding on the best wheelchair ramp, you must also take into account the maintenance, permanence of the structure, and the ability to adjust the ramp as needed. All of these factors play an equally important role in choosing the best wheelchair ramp for your home.

When choosing the best wheelchair ramp, experience has shown that aluminum ramps offer the most options, versatility and lowest maintenance. Let’s examine some of the many advantages of aluminum wheelchair ramps.

• Versatility. Aluminum wheelchair ramps can be configured to access any entrance you have. Because they are easy to install, they can also easily be re-configured if you move or need to move the ramp to another entrance to your home.
• Durability and Strength.  Aluminum wheelchair ramps are lightweight and yet stronger and more durable than a wood ramp. They do not succumb to the elements like wood ramps and have virtually no upkeep or maintenance like wood ramps.
• Installation is Easy. Installing an aluminum wheelchair ramp is easy and your 101 Mobility professional installer can configure even the most complex ramp in less than a day, as compared to wood ramps which can take 2 or more days to install. Because aluminum wheelchair ramps are generally considered temporary structures, you may not even need a building permit.*
• Variety. 101 Mobility sells a wide variety of aluminum wheelchair ramps to meet your needs. From modular wheelchair ramps which can be painted to match your home’s exterior to folding wheelchair ramps and light weight wheelchair ramps, we are certain to have the type of wheelchair ramp that will meet your needs and budget. We even offer wheelchair ramp rentals for those who have only a temporary ramp need.

There are many more advantages to aluminum wheelchair ramps, to learn more please contact your local 101 Mobility representative.

*Consult your local municipality prior to installation.