Choosing the right wheelchair accessible lift is incredibly important as no matter a person’s disability, they should be able to live their life without unnecessary limits.
Getting around isn’t always an easy and seamless process for wheelchair users, however, as a business you can put things in place to help those people with a disability by ensuring your environment is accessible and wheelchair friendly.
Here at Sesame, we fill the gap in the market for creating wheelchair accessible lifts that protect the original architecture and design of a building. Iconic properties or listed buildings don’t need to change their complete layout to be accessible, they just need to think of smart and innovative ways to adjust the current layout.
There are a wide variety of different types of wheelchair accessible lifts available, including platform lifts, retracting lifts, incline lifts, and more. And it’s important that you choose the best lift for your space, as well as your visitors’ needs.
We have put together a list of common lift types, so you can see what may be best for your building.
Platform Lifts
A platform lift is the most typical style of wheelchair lift, transporting wheelchair users vertically up over a barrier. The user simply moves their wheelchair onto the platform, shuts the safety door and uses a button to activate the lift. The lift will then automatically take them onto the next level, before the door can be opened and the user can exit.
This type of lift is also known as a vertical platform lift or a porch lift and can be beneficial if you need to provide access to a raised or second level in your building.
Retracting Lifts
This type of lift can be great if you don’t want to structurally change the appearance of your building or fit a platform lift in the premises. They can be built and hidden so a section of the stairs retracts either vertically or horizontally to present a hidden lift. Fitted both indoors and outdoors, a retracting lift is a great solution for a wide range of buildings, and can be adapted to suit your bespoke requirements.
Incline Lifts
If you’re limited on space, an incline lift is a great solution, especially if you do not have the available space to install a permanent lift.
Working in the same way that platform lifts do, this innovative option will allow all wheelchair users to get from one floor to the other with limited hassle.
And one of the main advantages of this type of lift is that it can be lifted out of the way and removed when not in use, making them perfect for small residential or commercial environments in need of a temporary wheelchair accessible lift as and when required. This type of lift also avoids many of the construction costs associated with building a hoistway for an elevator or a vertical platform lift.
This type of lift works by travelling diagonally along the contours of a staircase.
Other things to consider…
As well as considering the type of wheelchair accessible lift you require, you should also take into account a number of other factors.
For example, it’s important that your lift is in full compliance with industry standards and are CE marked.
It’s also important that your lift slots seamlessly into your space, complimenting and enhancing the space rather than interrupting the design. An invisible, beautifully finished lift will protect the architectural integrity of a building, while delivering the necessary access.
If your space is a listed or protected building, you’ll need to ensure that your lift meets any restrictions on the property. Again, an invisible lift can prove extremely beneficial in this scenario, protecting the integrity of the building, while also providing suitable access to all visitors.
Here at Sesame, we love working with Architects – they give us all our best ideas! You decide what you need, and we’ll work with you to make it a reality.
If you require any further information about any of our wheelchair accessible lift solutions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our professional, knowledgeable and friendly team is always on hand to answer any of your questions.
Find out more here: https://www.sesameaccess.com/
