Purchasing Resources for Wheelchair Lifts

Wheelchair Lifts

Make your business areas handicapped accessible with wheelchair lifts
By Leah Kuriluk Wheelchair lifts make your workplace more accessible, benefiting customers and employees and helping you meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines. If your business has a raised front door or stage area it's important to allow easy access to these places by installing a wheelchair lift. If space is a factor, you can even use a portable wheelchair lift and store it when it's not in use.

You'll want to be able to accommodate any visitors or employees who can't easily get up the stairs on their own. This encourages business visits and could help an injured or disabled employee function in case of an accident. If you're thinking about installing a wheelchair lift, take these steps:

1.Decide which type of wheelchair lift you need.

2.Measure the places you plan to install your wheelchair lifts.

3.Order your lift online or at a local dealer.

Choose a wheelchair lift that fits your company's intended use

There are many different types of lifts available, from electric wheelchair lifts to platform wheelchair lifts. Decide which one will suit your space, budget and needs. For smaller organizations or those on a budget, buying one portable wheelchair lift may be cheaper than buying several permanent ones.
Try:  Visit Universal Accessibility or Handi-Ramp to select a wheelchair lift type from the many available. Both websites list features and product sizes on their selections.

Get price quotes from several wheelchair lift suppliers

Compare prices at leading retailers and commercial suppliers to find the lowest cost of your chosen type of lift. Look for sales and other ways to save. In many cases, you will have to contact the supplier directly for a quote. Remember, there's no such thing as a free wheelchair lift, but there are often deals available that make purchasing a lift for wheelchair-type vehicles easy for every budget.
Try:  Use Planet Mobility or Ascension to obtain price information on a lift for wheelchair-type vehicles or to compare discounts.

Schedule the delivery and installation of your electric wheelchair lift

Be sure to allot enough time to make alterations if necessary and assign someone to oversee the installation process of lifts for wheelchair-type vehicles. Make sure someone who can sign any paperwork needed is available. Wheelchair lift-type installations often require an extended period of time to set up and test, so it's best to leave a day open in case any problems occur.
Try:  Check out AmeriGlide and Acessible Environments, Inc. to learn about shipping and installation options on lifts for wheelchair-type vehicles.

• For tight spaces or those with very specialized needs you may need to purchase a custom wheelchair lift. These are available from many retailers, who can provide the kind of installation and construction needed. For the best price, ask several companies what a custom installation for your office would cost.

---