The official definition of a disability refers to physical conditions that limit daily activities. For many people around the world, being unable to climb or descend stairs has a major impact on what they do each day. In its mildest form, it might mean that you decide whether or not to do something based on whether or not you'll be required to climb stairs to do it. At the other end of the spectrum, some disabilities make stair climbing completely impossible.
Legislation designed to restore independent freedom of movement and reduce any sort of discrimination for the disabled now exists in most industrialized countries of the world. These new freedoms and rights have created a new market for mobility-enhancing devices. The disabled stair lift and the disabled platform stair lift are two such devices that are now appearing in the homes of disabled people.
The standard type of disabled stair lift consists of a side-facing chair that moves along an aluminum or steel track. The track can be installed on either side of the stairway. The user sits down in the chair, operates a control of some sort, and an electric motor moves the user up to the top (or down to the bottom) of the stairway.
Disabled platform stair lifts work like a chair stair lift, but instead of a chair, they have a platform like a vertical platform lift. It provides access to upper floors just like a stair lift does, but eliminates the need to transfer from a wheel chair to the stair chair. This is an attractive feature for wheel chair users, because this allows them to use the stairway without needing assistance from a care giver.
Both types of disabled stair lifts can be folded against the wall to make space for others to use the stairway. Rails for the disabled stair lift are normally attached to the stairs, but disabled platform stair lifts are more likely to be attached to the wall instead.
All types of disabled stair lifts use electricity. The motor that moves the chair or platform may be powered by a battery pack or plugged directly into an electrical socket. Many disabled stair lifts that rely on the home's electrical supply also include a battery backup system that provides enough power for limited use during a power outage.
A few models of disabled stair lifts use battery power all the time. This design eliminates the need for a power cord reeling out from under the platform or chair, and also does away with the need for a battery backup. Even so, electricity has to be involved sometime, because the batteries need to recharge. Recharging usually happens when the platform or chair is parked at the top or bottom of the stairs.
Disabled platform stair lifts include several safety features. Platforms are usually equipped with short ramps that allow easy entry to the lift platform. They fold upright during use to hold the wheel chair securely. The lifts also have an array of sensors that stop the lift automatically if something is blocking its path.
Disabled stair lifts provide a smooth, safe ride up and down stairs