Wheelchair lifts, powered by electricity or hydraulics, help disabled people overcome obstacles. The most common types are ramps and lifts, including inclined and vertical lifts, which can be installed or portable. Safety features include a railing, non-slip platform, and safety straps.
Wheelchair lifts are an ingenious mechanical device to help disabled people overcome the obstacle of steps and ladders. Usually powered by electricity or hydraulics, elevators allow people whose primary source of mobility comes from a wheelchair a better sense of independence. It can allow for easy transportation in a vehicle or around a building. The most common wheelchair lifts come in the form of ramps and lifts. Ramps are a manual type of wheelchair lift where the individual must roll the wheelchair up and down.
The major types of wheelchair lifts include inclined and vertical lifts. Inclined platform lifts are found in public buildings in the form of ramps or portable devices to make mobility possible. Vertical wheelchair lifts can be installed or portable. The vertical lift consists of a non-slip platform and a mechanical device for lifting the wheelchair. Platforms can be retractable or foldable in design. Once on the wheelchair platform, the individual can be lifted vertically at the touch of a button.
The vertical platform wheelchair lift, more like a mini lift, is usually custom built for the building. In some cases, when used in the home, the lift can be customized to suit the needs of the individual. Examples of custom wheelchair lifts are stair lifts for curved or steep steps.
An inclined platform lift can also be used for steps. These devices allow the platform to move along the length of the steps. They are useful when a vertical lift cannot be used or if the ladder is exceptionally long.
Wheelchair lifts can also allow for easy access to a vehicle without the need to leave the wheelchair. A portable lifter can be used for this purpose. However, those whose standard mode of mobility comes from a wheelchair often have a lift installed in the vehicle to facilitate transfers and increase safety. A rotating wheelchair lift, also known as a swing lift, is a device that allows the wheelchair user to move indoors and out, as well as up and down. This lift is commonly found in mobility vans.
A proper wheelchair lift should be equipped with some safety features. Typically, a railing, non-slip platform, and safety straps are standard. Electric lifts usually come with a manual backup to use in the event of a power outage. These lifts are designed to be controlled by the wheelchair user or their attendant, as most are equipped with a mobile control box.
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