Handicapped Wheelchairs |
The Americans with Disability Act provides for certain guidelines to be followed when installing a handicapped wheelchair lift in government or places of business across the United States. It is however less stringent when it comes to the installation of similar adaptive mobility devices in residences. The use of mobility equipment for people with disability like wheelchair and scooter lifts is intended to promote efficiency and accessibility of any building with respect to the needs of the physically challenged. It allows easy access to upper or lower floors of buildings that do not have elevator service. It may also serve as an alternative to the elevator service and dedicated to disabled people.
Before buying a handicapped wheelchair lift or any adaptive transportation and mobility equipment for your home, it is first best to identify the specific needs of the user as well as the particular area of installation. The needs of senior and handicapped people vary distinctly depending on their condition and so does the feature of every wheelchair lift in the market. Decide which of the following may be suitable for you.
1. Wheelchair Stair lifts
Easy installation, simple operation, and almost maintenance free are how manufacturers and dealers describe this particular mobility equipment for people with disability. It is normally designed with a slip-free platform surface and constant pressure switches for safety in transporting the wheelchair and its passenger. The low platform elevation is ideal for easy loading of the wheelchair. It is installed along the railing of the staircase closest to the wall. Ideal for senior and handicapped people, it usually comes with a hand control system for simple operation. It easily handles a portable wheelchair, scooters, and electric wheelchairs with a maximum load of 600 pounds. Wheelchair cushion is an optional accessory that can be installed together with the stair lift. Despite providing one of the most advanced mobility options in the home, the manner of installation limits its deployment.2. Residential Platform Lifts
Because it is designed for residential buildings, it is considerably cheaper in price compared to other wheelchair lift types. It also provides simple wheelchair access to majority of the home. Equipped with a solid platform and safety pan switch, it can be operated by almost any person with disability. It is also installed with platform controls as well as limit switches on the top and bottom panel of the handicap lift. It can be adequately installed indoor or outdoor for maximum convenience of the person with disability. Its application is similar to van conversions to make them handicap accessible vehicles. Considered sturdier than the wheelchair stair lift, it can accommodate smaller sized mobility systems like a portable wheelchair or larger all-terrain wheelchairs. It may also be equipped with medical equipment and other mobility aids. The size and capacity limits its deployment strictly to residences.3. Commercial Lifts
Platform lifts for commercial buildings somewhat vary with their residential counterpart in the sense that it is built more solid and may allow for more wheelchair seating room. It may also include handrails and other safety devices that will allow the disabled person to be transported to a higher level of the establishment. Its solid platform design is complemented by its solid platform capable of supporting a maximum weight of 600 pounds. This type of disabled transportation can handle an assortment of wheelchairs from manual wheelchairs to bulkier types like scooters. The transfer system may allow for more flexibility with the incorporation of computer class adaptive equipment. This is considered as one of the best mobility options for the physically challenged when it comes to commercial buildings. However, it may be more complex to install compared to the stair lift and residential platform lifts.4. Inclined Wheelchair Lifts
Considered as an innovation for wheelchair lifts, it applies a similar design and technology while maintaining smooth and quiet operation. Designed with reliability and comfort in mind, it makes use of a folding platform configuration to prevent obstructing the access to the stairway steps. This allows the physically challenged person to ride the wheelchair lift while a companion walks up the stairs. This can be considered as one of the best mobility options to allow a handicap to go a level up or down the building. It can also be used in indoor or outdoor spaces depending on the actual need of the handicap as well as the availability of installation support. It can be customized in such a way that it will match the architectural design of your home or office building. This disabled transportation is limited to a single passenger for every trip. Another important limitation to consider for the inclined wheelchair lift is that it can only be installed on straight run staircases. This means homes with winding stairs cannot take advantage of this advanced mobility system.5. Commercial Vertical Lifts
As adaptive equipment & vehicles are modified to meet the specific needs of the physically challenged individual, more buildings are undergoing renovations to make them more handicap accessible. Installation of transportation and mobility equipment like the vertical lift in commercial establishments allow the person with disability to access higher floors with increased safety and reliability. Capable of supporting up to 600 pounds of additional weight at any given time, it has limit switches on its top and bottom panels to support the operation of a weather resistant control system. The choice of weather resistant panels allows the use of this transport system on the outside of the building allowing wheelchair access to roof decks or rooftop patios. Additional safety features include sturdy handrails and fixed ramps for safer conveyance to higher floors. This is an excellent choice for commercial buildings that go beyond two or three floors in height.Equipping a building with the right type of adaptive transportation and mobility devices such as a handicapped wheelchair will prove to be more cost effective in the long run despite potentially higher purchase price. This is because installing accessibility equipment that can withstand any modification to the building translates to future savings. Talk to a manufacturer or provider regarding what type of support you want to provide for the physically challenged to help you save on money.
