There will be times in the lives of all wheelchair patients when certain places aren't accessible by ramp. Either the incline may be too high for a ramp or there might be space limitations. No matter what the reason, this is a time when this person needs a wheelchair lift in order to move himself alone or with his chair into an unreachable area. There are many different types of lifts available to help him have the independence and mobility to move around freely in his own home, in a public place, or in an outdoor area, such as a deck or a porch.
There are times when a person with a multiple story home winds up in a wheelchair. For example, when Mike's parents bought their home, they never expected their teenaged son to get in the car accident that took away his ability to walk. Now they're faced with either limiting him to just getting around on the ground floor of the house or figuring out a way that he can get upstairs in order to sleep and use the bathroom. Although they can put ramps outside to help him get into and out of the house, there's no way a ramp will work on the indoor staircases. Therefore, they decide to buy a stairlift chair that Mike can use to ride up and down the stairs.
Bob's problem is that he is unable to access the shipping platform at work where his job as a supervisor often takes him. Although the platform isn't elevated a lot, it's just enough that Bob can't get up there and see what's going on. The company he works for has been understanding so far, but Bob's afraid they'll move him to a different job if he's unable to do the tasks required in this job he loves. He does have some rights per the disability acts that have been passed, however, so when he mentions a wheelchair lift to his boss, and the company looks into purchasing a portable one. By purchasing a portable model, wherever Bob needs to go, the lift can go with him.
Being in a wheelchair doesn't have to be as big of a life-limiter as it used to be, thanks to such new technology as wheelchair lifts. By having chair lifts in your home and portable lifts on the job and at outdoor venues, you'll be able to get around much better than ever before.
Finding the right wheelchair and accessories is key to living a more mobile life for those with mobility challenges. Visit Wheelchariot.com for more tips on wheelchair mobility & transportation tips and portable mobility scooters and make a more informed decision.
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Showing posts with label Van Lifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Van Lifts. Show all posts
Monday, September 6, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Options in Wheelchair Lifts
Choosing between wheelchair lifts for a handicap accessible van used to be easy. There weren't very many options, so you just took what was available. Now, though, there are so many different options for lifts that you need to do some research before making the choice that's best for you. Before you buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle, here are a few different options that you need to think about for your wheelchair lifts.
The main distinction and the most obvious one between different types of lifts is where they're located. They can either be in the trunk area of the vehicle or at the side door. Both minivans and full size vans come with both these options. The lift on the back side is convenient because it means that you don't have to have a special wide parking space to get the wheelchair in and out. However, it can be more difficult to maneuver a wheelchair up towards the front of the vehicle before locking it into place or transferring to a regular car seat.
A side lift, on the other hand, does require an extra wide parking space to get the wheelchair in and out.
Unless you're going somewhere super crowded, this isn't normally a problem. This type of lift is convenient for people who want to get into the front seat of a van. Combined with a rotating chair, this type of lift makes the process very easy. The wheelchair is simply lifted into the side of the vehicle, and the handicapped person is transferred to the seat, which is turned toward the back. The seat is turned around and locked into place, and the wheelchair is stored however it needs to be stored.
There are also differences in the way that different lifts operate. Some are automatic and others can be cranked. These days, the automatic types are the most convenient. They're almost a must for those who want to get into and out of a vehicle from their wheelchair on their own. Today's technology makes them very convenient. You can simply push a few buttons in order to get the lift out, get the wheelchair in, and put the lift away. This type of system may be a little more expensive, but it may be well worth the expense because of the way that it makes life so much simpler and easier. IMED Mobility is your premier supplier of Ricon wheelchair lifts and mobility equipment. Visit IMEDMobililty.com to find wheelchair lifts and wheelchair accessible van rentals.
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The main distinction and the most obvious one between different types of lifts is where they're located. They can either be in the trunk area of the vehicle or at the side door. Both minivans and full size vans come with both these options. The lift on the back side is convenient because it means that you don't have to have a special wide parking space to get the wheelchair in and out. However, it can be more difficult to maneuver a wheelchair up towards the front of the vehicle before locking it into place or transferring to a regular car seat.
A side lift, on the other hand, does require an extra wide parking space to get the wheelchair in and out.
Unless you're going somewhere super crowded, this isn't normally a problem. This type of lift is convenient for people who want to get into the front seat of a van. Combined with a rotating chair, this type of lift makes the process very easy. The wheelchair is simply lifted into the side of the vehicle, and the handicapped person is transferred to the seat, which is turned toward the back. The seat is turned around and locked into place, and the wheelchair is stored however it needs to be stored.
There are also differences in the way that different lifts operate. Some are automatic and others can be cranked. These days, the automatic types are the most convenient. They're almost a must for those who want to get into and out of a vehicle from their wheelchair on their own. Today's technology makes them very convenient. You can simply push a few buttons in order to get the lift out, get the wheelchair in, and put the lift away. This type of system may be a little more expensive, but it may be well worth the expense because of the way that it makes life so much simpler and easier. IMED Mobility is your premier supplier of Ricon wheelchair lifts and mobility equipment. Visit IMEDMobililty.com to find wheelchair lifts and wheelchair accessible van rentals.
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wheelchair Lifts For Vans - Types, Benefits and Cost
Wheelchairs have become a very significant mechanism to all disabled persons. Although these devices are beneficial, precautions should still be observed in order to ensure the safety of the persons sitting on them. Even when the user is simply sitting on the chair, we have to ascertain his security. How much more if the disabled is being transported to another place? Definitely, the level of precautionary measures should increase as well. And in the case of transporting people sitting on a wheelchair, the best option is through a van which is large enough to accommodate the wheelchair inside.
However, transportation could sometimes be a bit difficult. For instance, getting the wheelchair inside the vehicle is very effortful and time-consuming, most especially if no capable device is used, like a wheelchair lift.
Basically, there are two kinds of wheelchair lifts: the electric and the hydraulic lift. The electric wheelchair lift, as the name implies, is powered by electricity, while the other one is powered by hydraulics. Either of these types makes the process of lifting the wheelchair into the van much easier. Traditionally, before the chair was boarded into the vehicle, someone had to fold the wheelchair, carry it inside the van, and then lift the patient into the automobile. But nowadays, patients need not to leave their wheelchair because the lift will do all the work for them.
Both types of wheelchair lifts may be used not just in automobiles, but also for residential areas and public buildings. Electrical lifts, however, are mostly preferred by customers because of their lower price. But unfortunately, these lifts are completely unusable in cases of power failure, unless there is a reserved battery for back-up. Hydraulic lifts, albeit not so very popular among wheelchair lift consumers because of their high-maintenance requirement, do not depend on electricity - a reason for them to be fully functional despite a black-out.
A platform wheelchair lift, a more specific type of lifts, includes a small dais that can accommodate the wheelchair and its user. One has to simply roll the chair onto the platform and then push a button that will raise or lower the platform into or out of the van. To maximize the space, the dais folds into the van when not in use. There are two types of platform wheelchair lifts: the automatic and the semi-automatic lift. Their difference is quite simple: the former automatically folds the lift when a button is pushed, while the latter still needs manual folding (and unfolding).
A rotary wheelchair lift, also called a swing lift, is another specific model. It carries the wheelchair in and out the vehicle through an electric or hydraulic boom arm. However, this lift is less popular in the market than the first type. Aside from its demanding maintenance, it is also less capable of lifting heavy weight. On the other hand, rotary wheelchair lifts cost less than a platform one.
Installing a wheelchair lift on a van could be very expensive since it needs modification in the interior of the vehicle; the height of the floor needs to be lowered, and the seats have to be remodeled to accommodate the lift. But the benefits that it gives us and our disabled loved ones are quite priceless.
Victoria Brightman is a former patient who successfully overcame a severe physical disability. Being bound to a wheelchair for more than a year, she has also helped many people suffering from similar conditions to gain a new hope for recovery. As main author at wheelchairvictoria.com, she writes about wheelchair lifts, their types, functions and benefits. Visit her blog if you want to learn more about the wheelchair lifts for vans and the way they can simplify a disabled person's life.
View the Original article
However, transportation could sometimes be a bit difficult. For instance, getting the wheelchair inside the vehicle is very effortful and time-consuming, most especially if no capable device is used, like a wheelchair lift.
Basically, there are two kinds of wheelchair lifts: the electric and the hydraulic lift. The electric wheelchair lift, as the name implies, is powered by electricity, while the other one is powered by hydraulics. Either of these types makes the process of lifting the wheelchair into the van much easier. Traditionally, before the chair was boarded into the vehicle, someone had to fold the wheelchair, carry it inside the van, and then lift the patient into the automobile. But nowadays, patients need not to leave their wheelchair because the lift will do all the work for them.
Both types of wheelchair lifts may be used not just in automobiles, but also for residential areas and public buildings. Electrical lifts, however, are mostly preferred by customers because of their lower price. But unfortunately, these lifts are completely unusable in cases of power failure, unless there is a reserved battery for back-up. Hydraulic lifts, albeit not so very popular among wheelchair lift consumers because of their high-maintenance requirement, do not depend on electricity - a reason for them to be fully functional despite a black-out.
A platform wheelchair lift, a more specific type of lifts, includes a small dais that can accommodate the wheelchair and its user. One has to simply roll the chair onto the platform and then push a button that will raise or lower the platform into or out of the van. To maximize the space, the dais folds into the van when not in use. There are two types of platform wheelchair lifts: the automatic and the semi-automatic lift. Their difference is quite simple: the former automatically folds the lift when a button is pushed, while the latter still needs manual folding (and unfolding).
A rotary wheelchair lift, also called a swing lift, is another specific model. It carries the wheelchair in and out the vehicle through an electric or hydraulic boom arm. However, this lift is less popular in the market than the first type. Aside from its demanding maintenance, it is also less capable of lifting heavy weight. On the other hand, rotary wheelchair lifts cost less than a platform one.
Installing a wheelchair lift on a van could be very expensive since it needs modification in the interior of the vehicle; the height of the floor needs to be lowered, and the seats have to be remodeled to accommodate the lift. But the benefits that it gives us and our disabled loved ones are quite priceless.
Victoria Brightman is a former patient who successfully overcame a severe physical disability. Being bound to a wheelchair for more than a year, she has also helped many people suffering from similar conditions to gain a new hope for recovery. As main author at wheelchairvictoria.com, she writes about wheelchair lifts, their types, functions and benefits. Visit her blog if you want to learn more about the wheelchair lifts for vans and the way they can simplify a disabled person's life.
View the Original article
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