What To Consider When Buying A Wheelchair Lift

Wheelchair uses face extra challenges when navigating everyday spaces such as homes and offices. It is a requirement that reasonable efforts are made to ensure that all buildings are accessible to wheelchair users, and in many cases, this means installing a platform lift to travel up and down steps and stairs. 

Here are some factors to take into account when choosing a wheelchair platform lift. 

What is the distance of travel?

For access to heights of up to three metres, an open platform lift may be the best solution. They can provide step free access both internally and externally, in homes and public buildings. The open design requires no pit, so it can be added to a building with the minimum of alterations. 

For heights of over three metres, an alternative might be a vertical platform lift, which has a maximum travel height of 13 metres. Another option is the inclined platform lift, which is designed to travel along a stair rail.

What are the space requirements?

Open platform lifts take up the least room. Incline lifts will need unobstructed space along the stair rail, which may be an issue on narrow staircases. Vertical platform lifts require more space to install. In some cases, the lift may be installed as an external extension to the building. 

If you are unsure if you have sufficient space for a lift, it is best to contact a lift installation company who will be able to advise you on the best solutions.

How is the lift operated?

Many wheelchair users like to retain a sense of independence when using a lift, and want to be able to operate it themselves. If this is the case, check how easy it is to use the operating panel at wheelchair height, and if the safety and alarm systems can be easily activated by a wheelchair user.