Wheelchair Lifts for Motorhomes

A motorhome, also called a recreational vehicle, is a general term that describes a trailer that is furnished with living space and other facilities usually found in a home. This vehicle is usually used by families or groups for vacation purposes. And to accommodate wheelchair-bound family members or friends, some motorhomes are also equipped with wheelchair lifts. Motorhome wheelchair lifts are usually platform lifts that are installed on the entrance of the vehicle. They normally lift up to 30 inches with moderate speed and are also furnished with a safety night-light. Sometimes, if the entrance of the motorhome is not situated too high from the ground level, the owners can use a wheelchair ramp. This option is less comfortable than installing a lift, though: the ramp does not fold automatically and needs to be manually mounted each time the disabled family member has to enter the vehicle.

Wheelchair Lifts for Churches

Of course, everyone has the right to go to church to praise and pray to God and to seek spiritual healing and enlightenment. However, going to church sometimes is very difficult for wheelchair-users. You have probably noticed that churches always have steps, which the handicapped and less-abled find hard to climb. But thanks to wheelchair lifts for churches, they can now freely enter and exit church doors without worrying about the steps anymore. There are 3 main types of church wheelchair lifts: inclined stair lifts, vertical platform lifts and portable lifts.

Wheelchair Lifts for Courtrooms

Like churches, courtrooms are also constructed with a lot of steps and stairs. Although there are wheelchair ramps provided outside, wheelchair users still find discomfort going up and down inside the building because of the high staircases. And due to the very busy atmosphere in courtroom buildings, the space in the elevator may not always be enough to accommodate a wheelchair. But through vertical wheelchair lifts, the handicapped and the impaired can easily access any floor of their destination without needing very demanding assistance from others. A low-rise vertical lift can also be used to help a wheelchair-bound person get to the elevated witness box to testify if needed.

Wheelchair Lifts for Boats

Indeed, one of the most unusual places where a wheelchair lift may be installed is a boat. However, wheelchair lifts are now widely used on many boats, yachts and ships all around the globe. More often than not, these lifts are made of very durable materials like aluminum and stainless steel, which are also resistant to corrosion. Furthermore, they are equipped with a manually powered mechanism to avoid the need for electrical and battery components. Because of this, very little maintenance is required for this kind of lifts.

Wheelchair Lifts for Trains

Trains are public transportation vehicles that cater the needs of all kinds of people. Hence, they should be accommodating enough for everyone who wishes to ride aboard. Through train wheelchair lifts, even wheelchair-bound people can now get in and get out of the train in full comfort. These lifts carry the wheelchair and the user easily and safely. However, passengers are advised to make reservations for the lift and the transfer seats days or hours before the trip to avoid inconvenience and trouble.

Presently, because of the increased need of making railroad stations even more wheelchair-accessible, the Federal Department of Transportation launched several projects with the purpose to install wheelchair lifts not only on a certain car of the train, but on the platform itself. This type of level-entry boarding will dramatically increase the accessibility of all passengers with disabilities.

Today, wheelchair lifts are installed in various unusual public places. This is in pursuance of the implemented disabled laws and acts that mandate the government and public-building owners to provide mobility access to every disabled and handicapped individual. Through this, wheelchair-users can live a normal life, like everyone else, despite their unfortunate condition.

We all know that in compliance with ADA (the American with Disabilities Act), wheelchair lifts started to become an inseparable part of public transportation, being installed mostly in buses and trains.

Recently another innovation appeared, providing even more accessibility options to wheelchair-bound people: wheelchair-friendly taxicabs.

Even if such taxis are not available everywhere (yet), I think that this wonderful idea will allow the disabled to circulate freely even without owning a modified van (or hiring a means of transportation in advance whenever they want to go somewhere). Wheelchair-friendly taxis are not only a way of increasing the freedom of the mobility-challenged people – they also offer them something even more precious: spontaneity!

Now let’s analyze the technical details which make taxicabs disabled-accessible.

We all know that wheelchair ramps are the easiest way of overcoming inaccessible vertical obstacles. Most wheelchair-friendly taxis are bigger than the standard sedan models, being equipped with retractable ramps at the rear of the vehicle. They can accommodate up to 6 passengers (or a  a wheelchair and 3 passengers).

Besides the vehicles equipped with wheelchair ramps (which, as we know, have their downsides), there are also taxicabs with wheelchair lifts. These are usually vans with vertical platform tail lifts. They can accommodate up to 8 passengers (or 3 wheelchairs), being also suitable for airport rides – the platform can easily lift not only the wheelchair or scooter, but also heavy luggage.

Just like the wheelchair lifts installed in standard vans, the models designed for taxis are electricity (battery) powered, having all the necessary safety features: anti-slip flooring, barriers for avoiding accidents during the lifting operation, emergency stop button and more.

The drivers of these taxis are specially trained, helping their disabled passengers to use the wheelchair lift safely.

When are these taxicabs necessary? The cab company owners have noticed that the demand for these taxis increases on Sunday, when mobility-challenged people are willing to hire such a vehicle for going to church. During the week, going to the airport, to the hospital or simply visiting a friend or a relative has become much easier than before for the disabled from several cities. All they have to do is call the cab company providing these services and voila! They can go anywhere they want!

Wheelchair-accessible taxicabs are a considerable improvement for the disabled community. This service transcends the specifications of the ADA, providing extra comfort and convenience for mobility-challenged people.

One of the primary considerations in buying wheelchair lifts is durability. We have to make sure that the lift we are buying is strong enough to handle the demanding needs of its user. Nonetheless, there is no question to that most of the time; wheelchair lifts are made of very durable, highly resistant materials and are equipped with high-functioning mechanisms (either hydraulics or electric). However, it does not mean that we should take these lifts for granted. Yes, they may be durable, but they can still be subjected to damage once they are handled inappropriately.

A wheelchair lift is an expensive device, but at the same time it is a good investment.  This therefore means that we have to take good care of them and maintain them to preserve their functionality and quality. Here are some tips that can help you in your wheelchair lift maintenance:

1. If you are using an electric wheelchair lift, you may want to observe its battery system. Although there really is not much maintenance to be done on the battery, you have to make sure that it recharges itself when it has done its operation. Listen for any visual or audio indications that the battery is really charging. If it does not recharge, contact the manufacturer and ask for the warranty if needed.
2. Keep the rail (if you’re using a wheelchair stair lift) free from dust and other foreign objects. These materials may clog the railway and even cause an accident. Vacuum the railing at least twice a month.
3. Also, check the seat for any damages. Make sure that seat is still usable because it determines the comfort of the user.
4. An important phase of wheelchair lift maintenance is checking the safety features of the device. They should be sturdy enough to support the users and keep them safe from any harm in case an unforeseen accident happens. One of the prominent wheelchair lift safety features is the seatbelt. In examining seatbelts, twist it hard and look for cracks. Remember that a seatbelt works well when it does not compress greater than a half inch when force is exerted between the pulleys.
5. Lastly, check the interior of the device. Make sure there are no loose objects that might jeopardize its operation.

If you have noticed any damage or malfunction in any of the mentioned areas, it is necessary to perform a wheelchair lift repair as soon as possible. More often than not, some of the frequently arising problems concern the device being stuck in position. In this case, you can check if there is an obstruction on the railway or in the interior mechanism of the device. You can also contact the service provider or the manufacturer since the disability law states that they are still held responsible for repairing damages among their mobility aids.

Wheelchair lift maintenance and repair are done to ensure that the device’s quality is conserved and that the user is safe and comfortable during the lift’s operation. More detailed procedures on wheelchair lift maintenance are available on different specialized websites such as Braun Corporation.

In installing a wheelchair lift, several factors must be taken into consideration. First of these considerations is choosing the right wheelchair lift, of course.  You have to determine the specific type of lift that is most appropriate for you (or for your loved one). There are custom-made wheelchair lifts for specific areas and functioning. For instance, wheelchair lifts for vans are different from wheelchair lifts for residences; and wheelchair lifts for porches are different from wheelchair lifts for stairs, so on and so forth.

Know which area of the house needs more mobility access so you’d be guided on the second basic consideration, choosing the right location. Once you have chosen the most appropriate wheelchair lift, now you have to decide where exactly do you intend to place it. Again, this depends on different factors. If you are going to install a vertical platform lift, you should be aware that it needs house remodeling and wall modifications (unlike a stair lift which is obviously installed on the staircase).

Different types of wheelchair lifts also have different procedures for installment. You should check the product package for a detailed installation guide. This procedure should be followed precisely and faithfully.

Perhaps, one of the widely used wheelchair lifts is the stair lift. Unlike the vertical lift, the inclined platform lift and van wheelchair lift, this lift is easier to install.

1.     Lay the lower track on the staircase.  Make sure that the track is laid down not on the railing side but on the wall to avoid inconvenience for other stair users.

2.     Attach the brackets to the steps using the screws that come along with the packaged product.  Usually, there are three to four brackets provided: one for the top of the stairs, another for the bottom, and one or two more for the middle.

3.     Install the call box wiring. This comes with a wire that signals the device to come down when it is at the top of the stairs.

4.     Lay the upper track on top of the lower track. The seat is installed between these tracks, so make sure that the seat will be able to fit the space between these tracks.

5.     Install the chain, which moves the chair up and down the track, as a chain does to a bike.

6.     Fit in the seat’s power cable between the tracks. Attach the chair using the screws (again provided by the supplier).

7.     Plug the main power cable into the bottom of the track, and do the same thing to other end, but this time, plug it into the wall outlet. This step is done if the machine is electricity-powered. For a hydraulic wheelchair lift, you can check the product guide for a detailed procedure.

8.     Have the user check the machine if its works smoothly and properly. During the trial, assist him until he gets comfortable.

In installing other types of lifts, you can always ask the manufacturer or check the Internet for reliable websites that offer proper installment instructions. Commercial wheelchair lifts, which usually are elevator lifts, need building restructuring. This means that installers must also seek assistance from architects or engineers.  Installing a vehicle wheelchair lift, on the other hand, definitely needs professional help. Several modifications are done to the interior of the car to give space for the lift. Sometimes even, the floor height of the car is adjusted to easily board the wheelchair into the vehicle.

But there is a word of caution: only professionals are allowed to install wheelchair lifts. No one should feel confident about installing the lift on his own. I have provided you with a procedure to install a stair lift not because I want you to install it but because I want you to be vigilant when the installing team from your supplier does their work. Remember that most of wheelchair-lift-related accidents occur due to improper installation. And more often than not, these accidents happen to people who haughtily and stubbornly install their lifts without asking assistance from skilled professionals.