Grandma of the Year Builds Wheelchair Ramps Using Legos

Rita Ebel, a 62-year-old wheelchair user (and grandmother!) living in Hanau, Germany, has devised a unique way to bring accessibility to her town’s shops, restaurants and salons. Using hundreds of lego bricks and glue, Rita builds ramps that make it possible for wheelchair users to enter businesses.

“For me it is just about trying to sensitise the world a little bit to barrier-free travel,” she told Reuters. The colorful ramps are easy to spot, and they are creating interest in accessibility.

Rita’s idea is being exported to other countries – groups from Austria, Spain, Switzerland and the United States have asked for ramp building instructions. It might not be long before a colorful lego ramp appears in your neighborhood!OUR TAKE: Accessibility can often be achieved with limited investment, and some businesses are just a bag of legos short from becoming wheelchair accessible. Rita’s clever idea has attracted international attention and started a discussion about the importance of basic access. Way to go, Rita!

To read more about Rita’s wheelchair ramps, click here.