A couple of years ago, I had a (well known) company come to my house to give me a price on enclosing my back porch.  The sales rep looked at my porch and wanted to install a step. I think the figured it was too big of a drop.  I just went out and measured.  It is 10.5" from my back porch to the yard level.  I really didn't think I needed a step, and if I did, I would put it in myself.  Needless to say, that sales rep did not get my business.  

I guess if I was 80 years old, I might see differently. But right now, I have no problem stepping up or down those 10.5" without an intermediary step.