There are about 1.6 million people in the United States that use a wheel chair on a daily basis, and there could be as many as 100 million wheel chair users around the world. Although the daily activities of these individuals have been limited in a major way, they have chosen to reach beyond the limits of their abilities. The wheel chair provides them with the freedom to move independently.
The reasons why people might need a wheel chair vary. They may have been handicapped from birth or may have developed a genetic disease that limits their ability to walk. They could have contracted a disease later in life like arthritis, or may just suffer from the effects of aging. Some people are confined to a wheel chair after being physically injured.
The most daunting obstacles faced by wheel chair users usually involve moving from one level to another. Anywhere you see stairs is an obstacle for someone in a wheel chair. The entrance to your home perhaps, or the library, or a downtown store. Once inside any multi-story building, wheel chair users must find a way to get upstairs or downstairs. Even actions that we hardly think about at all, like getting into and out of our automobiles, could be a complicated operation for someone in a wheel chair. Thankfully, most of these obstacles have now been overcome with the introduction of the handicap wheel chair lift and the wheel chair stair lift.
The handicap wheel chair lift is used in two different situations. Vertical wheel chair lifts are often used in connection with buildings, inside or outside. Some applications include providing a way for wheelchairs to get from the floor to a stage in an auditorium. Or it may provide access to a raised entryway or porch. These lifts have a platform that is raised or lowered, either by electricity or hydraulics. Normally, the handicap wheel chair lift is used in situations where the height is less than a full story. But it's not unheard of to use the same design to move from one floor to another. Wheel chair lifts are very useful in places where there's not enough room for a ramp.
It's certainly possible that you may find a handicap wheel chair lift in a residential setting. There are plenty of places in homes where a chair lift is the best solution. However, because of their relatively higher cost, you're most likely to find wheel chair lifts in businesses or public buildings.
In a multi-story residence, you're a lot more likely to find the wheel chair stair lift. This type of device is very similar to the stair chair lift, except that instead of a chair for the user to sit in, there's a platform for a wheel chair instead. The advantage is that there is no transfer required from the wheel chair to the lift chair. The disadvantage is that this type of design may not be possible in narrow stairways or curved stairways.
Another option for moving upstairs or down in a wheel chair is the stair climber. The wheel chair rests on the stair climber while it climbs the stairs mechanically. Unfortunately, this type of device requires an operator, so it doesn't provide unassisted access. It's main advantage is that it requires no installation or construction, or changes of any kind to the existing stairway.
Handicap wheel chair lifts have opened up new possibilities for wheel chair users. They are able to engage in more and more daily activities, often giving them no more thought than anyone else. And isn't that one of the best uses of technology, to remove barriers and level the playing field for all?
Handicap wheel chair lifts and wheel chair stair lifts increase the mobility and freedom of wheel chair users