Thanks - Yes the VA installed this ramp and we've been grateful for it. :-) But now we are hoping to have something that is more aesthetically pleasing (and expensive/self paid). I will see about home health recommendations.

I would contact local driveway contractor. They can lay out new walkway segment on proper incline and treat surface for good traction and drainage. If some one is walking, you will need side rails. A good contractor will know current ADA requirements.

I'd consider landscape architects who are especially interested in the hard-scape aspects of design. In a city neighborhood near me, there's a small house and yard that handled the issue beautifully. The walk from the street divides. Straight ahead, the walk continues level to a couple of steps up to a porch that is perhaps 8 feet deep. The path to the right curves through the plantings. The ground has been sloped so that it is at the same level as the porch at the right end of the porch. When I first saw it, I was more interested in the porch roof and plantings. It took a moment to realize that the path was for accessibility.

Any photos Moxie. That sounds great!

What is the total rise in inches from the lowest sidewalk point that would be offloading someone in that wheelchair to the doorway? That’s how long in feet that a ramped sidewalk approach has to be. 18”? 18’ of ramp. You can do switchbacks, with at least a 5x5 platform for turning.

The challenge is to take those technical requirements and making them attractive. Look on the NAHB website for a CAPS certified individual to do an assessment as to what other access barriers might exist. You will want that person to work with a good landscape designer as a team.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the link to Google maps to work properly. It is on the east side of 47th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 3 houses north of Dowling Street. The Google photo is from 2011. The landscaping has filled in now and the path is barely visible in summer.

A friend had a ramp with switchbacks built. Being a perfectionist, she did her own research into code specifications. There are different requirements for commercial and residential locations. We use the same contractor for remodeling. I mentioned something about the ramp and he said that she insisted on using the stricter commercial code. No surprise to either of us. The change in level was large, so there was no way to make it "pretty" in a small yard.

Want switchbacks? I was surprised to find these while out walking along the Schuylkill River last year. This is the new Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Roberts Research Center. That set of switchbacks rises (or falls) two full floors--12 switchbacks. Google Maps photo.