According to current estimates, 1.85% of the world’s population, or 131.8 million people, need wheelchairs. In the United States of America, about 3 million people use wheelchairs, and this number continues to rise year after year. Some platforms are steadily overcoming accessibility issues for individuals who use wheelchairs in several public and commercial spaces. In this article, you will learn what a wheelchair lifting platform is, what its features are, and the benefits of this platform in commercial spaces.
What Are Wheelchair Lifting Platforms?
As the name implies, an elevating platform transports a wheelchair by raising and lowering it to provide more accessibility for physically challenged people. They look like elevators but are more compact. Thanks to their strong motors, they carry wheelchairs and the occupants of these wheelchairs up and down stairs or into transport vehicles. Installing a wheelchair lift platform in your space is one of the best ways to make it accessible to people with mobility issues.
Features of Wheelchair Lifts
Several features make these platforms safe for use in homes and commercial spaces.
Backup Batteries
In case of a loss of power, the lift will still be able to function, preventing passengers from getting stranded in the event of a blackout. The backup batteries also make places more accessible because there is no limit to where and when people can use them.
Continuous Pressure Controls
This allows the person on the platform to control the lift constantly by simply employing a control button. The pressure controls also help to stop motion in case of an emergency.
Electro-mechanical Gates
This feature ensures that the gates of the platform do not open while it is in motion. It is a key safety feature that is especially important for older people and those with more advanced paralysis.
Emergency Stop Buttons
This feature allows the person on top of the platform to stop it in an emergency. With a single button press, the elevation stops, and the person can return to safety.
Safety Railings
This is another important feature because it safeguards the wheelchair and prevents it from moving around or falling from the platform. They are adaptable, so the machines can be made to fit the setting in which the platform is installed.
Spotting Obstacles
Typically found in vertical wheelchair lifts, this feature allows the commercial lift to stop if it senses an obstruction.
Weather Resistant Controls
The mechanisms within are sealed to withstand rain and other elements. This protects the device and guarantees reliable operations irrespective of the weather.
Common Types of Wheelchair Lifts
Wheelchair lifts mainly come in three types. These types are listed below.
- Inclined Wheelchair Lifts
These lifts carry a wheelchair user upstairs and downstairs while remaining seated in their wheelchair. They can be installed in public and private spaces.
- Vertical Wheelchair Lifts
This transports a wheelchair between levels using vertical platforms. It works similarly to an elevator, but elevators do not have pressure switches.
- Commercial Stairlift
Many religious institutions, event centers, government buildings, and academic facilities choose this type of technology because it is simple to use and designed to follow a straight flight of stairs. As a business owner, investing in a commercial stairlift is essential.
Who Needs Wheelchair Lifts?
There are medical conditions such as arthritis and muscular dystrophy that would make a person need a wheelchair. People living with disabilities or recovering from severe injuries also use them. As the person in charge of a facility, you must ensure that these people have access to your building by providing a wheelchair lift.
Benefits of Wheelchair Lifting Platforms in Commercial Spaces
Visitors to your building can achieve independence when management installs a wheelchair-lifting platform. Additional benefits of wheelchair lifts include:
- Security
Wheelchair lifts enable visitors to maintain their dignity while lowering the risk of falling and injury without needing assistance from family or caregivers.
- Functionality and Accessibility
Disability lifts can be installed almost anywhere and increase the functionality of any area. They enable clients to access your upper floors with the utmost comfort and without having to get out of their wheelchairs.
- Independence
You can support the independence of those who use your space by installing the right commercial wheelchair lift. No one wants to seem like a burden to others. If your business doesn’t have facilities promoting independence for people with disabilities, they will not come.
Conclusion
Ultimately, a wheelchair elevation platform is an investment that can benefit your clientele by helping them move around independently. The first step is to research the options available for commercial buildings. People with disabilities will surely appreciate the presence of these platforms in any establishment.
