Do you have a wheelchair ramp that you don’t need ? Make a positive impact, and donate it to someone in need.
You can easily donate your equipment directly to individuals online, or to organizations that will then effectively pass on your donation to individuals who need it.
This article serves as a helpful guide for donating used disability equipment.
Where to donate a wheelchair ramp ? A gently used wheelchair ramp can be donated to –
- Wheelchair ramp charities
- Wheelchair charities
- State Assistive Technology Projects
- state online equipment exchanges
- reuse centers
- community loan closets (state and local) and bikur cholim
- non-profit charities
- thrift stores
- medical equipment refurbishment projects
- faith-based organizations
- local churches
- senior centers
- veterans centers
- private individuals on classified listing websites and social media platforms
Contents Overview & Quicklinks
Specific wheelchair ramp charities
Donating wheelchairs ramps to State Assistive Technology Programs
Donating a wheelchair ramp to refurbishing and reuse Centers
Donating a wheelchair ramp to Centers for Independent Living
Donating a wheelchair ramp to Loan Closets
National and international organizations which accept medical equipment donations
Online listing sites where you can donate a wheelchair ramp near you
Donating a wheelchair ramp in your neighborhood
Organizations near you which may know where to donate a wheelchair ramp
Donating a wheelchair ramp to specific wheelchair ramp charities
Hammer & Nails
This is an organization which helps to make repairs on houses for disadvantaged individuals, including building wheelchair ramps – they ask for donations of wheelchair ramps on their website.
Their website page for donating a wheelchair ramp is here.
Operation Ramp It Up
Operation Ramp it Up aims to help veterans and others with wheelchair ramps for their homes.
The organization only accepts aluminum ramps, and you can contact them on the page I have linked to below.
Their website donation contact form is here.
Donating a wheelchair ramp to specific wheelchair charities and initiatives
The organizations below all accept donations of wheelchairs, so you can always contact them to see if they have need of a ramp, or know of one of their wheelchair methods
ALS Association
At the top of their list of equipment are power wheelchairs, power wheelchair accessories, manual wheelchairs and transport wheelchairs.
Their website is here –
https://www.als.org/dc-md-va/local-care-services/medical-equipment-loan-closet
American Mobility Outreach
The foundation accepts donations of power wheelchairs.
Their website donations page is here –
https://www.twtcenters.com/need-a-power-chair
FODAC – Friends of disabled adults and children
Top of their list of “Items of Greatest Need” is wheelchairs, both manual and power wheelchairs.
Their website page for donations is here –
https://fodac.org/donate/medical/
Hope Haven International
They collect wheelchairs for people who need them around the world.
Their website page about donating wheelchairs is here –
http://hopehaveninternational.org/
Joni And Friends
Wheels For The World is the name of their initiative to get wheelchairs to those who need them around the world.
Their website donation page for the initiative is here –
https://joniandfriends.org/wheels-for-the-world/donate-a-wheelchair/
The Kids Equipment Network
Wheelchairs are not the only equipment requested, but manual and power wheelchairs are the top of the list for this organization, which helps children with special needs.
Their website page for Donations is here –
LifeNets
The organization has an initiative called “Wheelchair Project” –
“The program is designed to facilitate the exchange of wheelchairs between individuals and is not for the use of vendors or distributors.”
Source: LifeNets website.
You can donate both power and manual wheelchairs.
The website page about the initiative and donating is here –
https://lifenets.org/programs/wheelchairs/
Living Hope Wheelchair Association
Accepts donations of wheelchairs
Their website donation page is here –
https://www.lhwassociation.org/donate
Email – livinghope@lhwassociation.org
Mobility Equipment Recyclers of New England
This is a business, and not a charity, but they resell the refurbished manual and power wheelchairs at 50-90% off the MRSP
The website is here –
https://mobilityequipmentforless.com/pages/recycle-mobility-and-medical-equipment
Muscular Dsytrophy Association
The MDA accepts donations of manual and electric wheelchairs at their different locales across the US.
The website is here –
The Wheelchair Recycler
Wheelchairs are collected and refurbished and sold –
“used power wheelchairs at little or no expense to the new user. Most equipment is 90% below market value.”
Their website is here –
http://wheelchairrecycler.org/
United Cerebral Palsy
One of the main items requested is wheelchairs.
You need to go to the “Donate to An Affiliate Page”, and there you will see the list of all the states, and you can find the UCP Affiliate in your part of your state. From there you will get the contact information and website links.
The website page for affiliates is here.
Donating a wheelchair ramp to State Assistive Technology Programs
State Assistive Technology Programs (AT Programs) – a great place to donate your wheelchair ramp.
The purpose of these programs is to expand the accessibility to assistive technologies, including durable medical equipment, within a state. This initiative has particular focus on three primary groups –
- Individuals with lower incomes
- Individuals with disabilities
- The elderly population
State AT Programs will generally have –
- equipment lending libraries
- online equipment exchanges
- demonstration centers
- reuse and refurbishing centers
The act of donating your wheelchair ramp to your state’s AT program goes beyond helping just one person. Over time, it has the potential to be lent to many users, thereby making a lasting impact on multiple lives.
To learn more about donating to your particular state AT program, click on your state in the list below.
Click on your state to go to your State AT Program website
Donating a wheelchair ramp to Refurbishment and Reuse Centers
Choosing to donate your wheelchair ramp to a medical equipment refurbishment or reuse center is another excellent choice.
Both types of organizations are very often nonprofits, and usually implement programs to redistribute donated items, frequently benefiting individuals in need. Typically, the equipment is provided to individuals either at a low cost, or sometimes for free.
The medical equipment refurbishment centers will happily take your donation, complete any required repairs, sanitize it, and then find a new home for it, whereas reuse centers usually adopt the approach of accepting and distributing used equipment in its present state “as is”.
There are medical equipment refurbishing centers that function as businesses rather than as nonprofits, but they frequently offer the equipment for sale at a very reasonable price.
To find a center of either type near you, just do a search on the internet.
Donating a wheelchair ramp to a Center for Independent Living (CIL)
If your purpose is to specifically aid the disabled with your donation, you may want to consider donating to a Center for Independent Living, as they –
“provide independent living services for people with disabilities. CILs are at the core of ACL’s independent living programs, which work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. These programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.”
Source : https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/centers-independent-living
If accepted, your wheelchair ramp will be added to an equipment loan closet to be used to help support the CIL’s disabled members.
To find and contact the nearest center to you, go to this website.
Donating a wheelchair ramp to community medical equipment loan closets
Medical equipment loan closets serve as a vital community resource, offering yet another super opportunity to donate new, or gently used wheelchair ramps and make a positive contribution.
In most cases, a medical equipment loan closet provides loans of durable medical equipment items to individuals within their community, usually at no expense. This service is primarily intended for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The terms and conditions of each loan closet can vary, but generally they will only require payment in the form of a deposit for very large and valuable items like patient lifts and hospital beds. This deposit is refunded upon the return of the item.
Wondering how to find a medical equipment loan closet ? –
I typically use these 4 online searches below, and if that doesn’t bring up any positive results, I then check in with the following groups –
- the 4 online searches I use – “medical equipment loan closet + your location”, “medical equipment lending closet + your location”, “medical equipment lending bank + your location”, or “medical equipment bank + your location”
- if I can’t find anything with my online searches, which happens quite a bit, it’s time to turn to the county’s Area Agency on Aging for assistance. These agencies help individuals aged 60 and older, along with their families and caregivers, to access the various community services available to them, such as loan closets – you’ll be able to use the official agency locator tool here
- have a chat with your town or city council human resources, or seniors department. Inquire if they oversee a medical loan closet for the local community or have knowledge of one
- carry out another search for medical equipment refurbishing centers and inquire whether they have knowledge of any loan closets near you
- many small loan closets are run for their communities by Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and American Legion Posts, so I would track down some clubs and posts close to you and see what they know
To find Lions Clubs in your area, take a quick look at my guide here – How To Find A Lions Club Near Me ? A Very Quick Illustrated Guide
To find Rotary Clubs in your area, take a quick look at my guide here – How To Find A Rotary Club Near Me ? A Very Quick Illustrated Guide
Bikur Cholim or Medical Equipment Gemacht – (Jewish medical equipment loan closets)
These loan closets are run by, and for, the Jewish community.
To locate one in your area, you can ask at the local Jewish senior center, synagogue, or search online at the Chesed Match website.
National and International organizations which accept donations of a wheelchair ramp
Goodwill
To donate your wheelchair ramp, locate a store near you and give them a call – https://www.goodwill.org/locator/
Salvation Army
To donate your wheelchair ramp, click on the following link – https://satruck.org/
EasterSeals
To locate your local affiliate to make your wheelchair ramp donation, use this link – https://www.easterseals.com/connect-locally/
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations
Their website page for donating a wheelchair ramp is here – http://www.pqmd.org/pillars/donation-guidelines/
Project Cure
Their website page for donating your wheelchair ramp is here – https://projectcure.org/donate-supplies-equipment
REMEDY – Recovered Medical Equipment for the developing World
To donate your wheelchair ramp to REMEDY, use this web page here – https://www.med-eq.org/Login/form.aspx?type=donate&quick=1
Advocates for World Health
The page for donating your wheelchair ramp is here – https://awhealth.org/donate-medical-equipment/
Esperenca
To donate your wheelchair ramp, go here – https://www.esperanca.org/donate-supplies/
MedShare
Got to the MedShare website to donate your wheelchair ramp here – https://www.medshare.org/
HERO Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization
You can find about donating your wheelchair ramp on their website here – https://www.herofargo.org/wp-content/uploads/IndividualSupplies.pdf
MedWish
The page for donations is here on their website – https://www.medwish.org/give
Global Links
To donate your wheelchair ramp, go to this website page – https://www.globallinks.org/our-work/programs/medical-surplus-recovery-program/individual-and-community-surplus-recovery
Global Mobility USA
You can donate your wheelchair ramp at this web address – http://www.globalmobilityusa.org/equipment-and-in-kind-donations
Medical Bridges
This is the donation page on their website – http://www.medicalbridges.org/donate/medical-supplies-and-equipment
Online listing sites and other social media platforms where you can donate a wheelchair ramp near you
For me, donating online is the preferred method, either via social media platforms or on classified listings. I like the fact that you can select exactly where your ad will be seen, which allows you to limit how far you may have to travel, i.e. you can keep it very local.
It’s a good idea to take certain precautions when making an online donation –
- in the posting/advertisement description of your wheelchair ramp, include that it’s offered “as is,” and you won’t be held liable for any problems post hand over
- if you are looking after an elderly person at home, your priority is to keep them safe, to respect their privacy and wellbeing, it’s best not to arrange for the donation recipient to come to your home for the pick-up
- arrange to give the wheelchair ramp to the new owner in a public place, and if you’re feeling unsafe, consider bringing a companion along
- on classified listings, such as Craigslist, don’t use your main personal email, as it will likely get drowned in spam emails
Online platforms where you can donate your wheelchair ramp –
- Craigslist.com
- UsedHME.com
- Nextdoor.com
- Facebook.com
- Freecycle.org
- OfferUp.com
I have short illustrated guides on how to donate new, or used, devices on each one, if you haven’t done this before –
Craigslist.com – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Craigslist ? An Illustrated Guide”
UsedHME.com – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me On UsedHME ? An illustrated Guide”
Facebook.com – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Facebook ? An Illustrated Guide”
Freecycle.org – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me on Freecycle.org ? A Very Quick Illustrated Guide”
Nextdoor.com – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On Nextdoor.com ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”
OfferUp.com – No need for an article on this, as there is a very good video showing how to use OfferUp, see below.
Donating a wheelchair ramp in your neighborhood
If you wish to go out knocking on doors and talking face to face with people, try making inquiries at some of the following places in your neighborhood –
- Local Hospitals
- Emergency rooms
- Thrift stores
- Senior Centers or Elderly Day Care Centers
- Veterans Centers
- Local Retirement Homes
- Churches
- Your local council Seniors’ department
Organizations near you who may know where to donate a wheelchair ramp
If you need more help finding where to donate your wheelchair ramp, you might want to try talking to some of the following organizations –
Area Agency On Aging
The Area Agency on Aging for your county should be your starting point to find out about services for individuals over the age of 60. Here, learn about any medical equipment loan closets and durable medical equipment, which are frequently sought by seniors.
Use the Area Agency on Aging locator tool to find your agency – click here.
Social Services
Following that, check with your Social Services department. They should know of the charities offering programs and services, and might be able to direct you to those interested in your wheelchair ramp.
Faith-based Charities
The Catholic Charities and Society of St Vincent de Paul
Returning to the topic of charitable organizations, Catholic Charities and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are just two examples of the many charities that run programs for individuals in need across significant portions of the United States.
Both charities have local chapters which administer the programs in their area. They should have insights into individuals or groups who could benefit from your wheelchair ramp
To find a chapter of either charity in your area, search “name of the charity + where you live”, on the internet.
Local Town Hall or Chamber of Commerce
Drop in at your town hall and chamber of commerce and ask about nonprofit organizations and charities refurbishing and redistributing durable medical equipment locally, and get in touch with them.
Why isn’t your wheelchair ramp being accepted ?
There are some possible reasons why your wheelchair ramp keeps being rejected –
- perhaps it’s too old
- if it is wooden – some people only install aluminum ramps
- a used wheelchair ramp may not fit the houses which a recipient has in mind, i.e. too long or short
- a used wheelchair ramp no longer has a warranty
Tax deductions on donations
Keep your receipt for any donations that you make to any charities, if you are hoping to get a tax deduction – the IRS will require the receipt for the item.
I’m Gareth, the author and owner of Looking After Mom and Dad.com
I have been a caregiver for over 10 yrs and share all my tips here.
