Wheelchair Lifts And Their Uses

By Author: Richard Stark
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Wheelchair lifts are devices designed to provide those in wheelchairs, or people with problems with mobility, with a way of moving from one level in their homes to another. They are not traditional enclosed elevators. They are open and also lift wheelchairs into vans or cars for easy transport.

Wheelchair lifts may be used for various reasons. One reason could be that you may have just begun using a wheelchair and your home has a flight of stairs. Investing in a chair lift makes it easier for you to be independent. The fear of losing their independence is what bothers most people.

Another purpose solved by the wheelchair lift is to get in and out of a minivan or a car. Wheelchairs are heavy and traveling is no fun sitting in a wheelchair and these lifts erase all the unease about going out.

Basically they are used to transport wheelchairs from one location to another, from the bottom of the staircase to the top of the staircase, from the top of the staircase to the bottom, from the ground into a vehicle, or from any place where a wheelchair cannot move on its own. These lifts are extremely convenient ...
... because they alleviate the need of having the person in the wheelchair get out of their chair, and also the need to lift or carry a wheelchair into a vehicle or up the stairs.

Two technologies are used in the making of these lifts, hydraulic and electric.

Hydraulic lifts use fluid for operation and this ensures that no shock or jerks are felt with sudden stopping of the lifts. These are expensive and require more maintenance, but are very comfortable.

Electric lifts use electricity and most also have an emergency battery back-up system, in case of power outages. These are cheaper than hydraulic lifts and require less maintenance.

There are disabled lifts like portable inclined wheelchair lifts and vertical wheelchair lifts. An inclined lift goes up on an angle, from one floor to the next, whereas a vertical lift goes vertically from one floor to another, with the maximum vertical travel being 14 feet.

They also come in different features, materials, and mechanisms. They are helpful in several ways and give the confidence that life does not change with a disability.

Wheelchair lifts have to pass through high security measures and fulfill the safety standards before they enter the market. Before buying one, ensure you understand your requirements.