It is a sad fact that there are many disabled people you would find in everyday society. But you have to understand that just because they are disabled and they have to use wheelchairs and such, this does not mean that they are confined to the very pieces of equipment that they use daily. This is why there is the need for accessibility equipment. In its most basic form, accessibility equipment refers to the range of products that have been specially designed and directed towards the removal of access barriers for disabled people. To the ordinary person, the mere act of walking up the stairs may be something he or she would take for granted. But for the man in the wheelchair, this can actually be perceived as a hindrance to freedom. But with accessibility equipment, this can be remedied easily. Accessibility equipment actually includes platform lifts.
Platform lifts are very useful, especially when you are dealing with buildings that have stairs, entrances that are raised, and inclines that are steep. The installation of platform lifts is not actually limited to the residential setting because public buildings are actually mandated to provide these for disabled citizens as well.
With platform lifts, the disabled can now do without the uncomfortable situation of having to deal with access barriers. In fact, these access barriers can virtually be removed off the equation altogether now! Libraries, churches, schools, offices, and other public buildings are now equipped with cost-effective platform lifts. What's more, with platform lifts, space would no longer be an issue, as well as budgetary constraints.
When you are considering installing your very own platform lift, you actually have several options. These include inclined platform lifts and vertical platform lifts. Inclined platform lifts comes with a platform that is specially designed to travel along what is known as a guard rail on staircases. It does not matter whether the staircase at hand is curved or straight. With the inclined platform lift, disabled people can easily gain access to two or more landings. This type of lift can be used indoors and outdoors as well.
Vertical platform lifts, on the other hand, is a device that is actually freestanding. It is designed vertically lift disabled person from the ground to higher landings. At most, vertical platform lifts can actually handle 750 lbs. so; you really do not have anything to worry about when you are using this type of platform lift. In fact, a lot of people actually prefer to install this platform lift because not much space is needed for it. Plus, it is relatively cheaper to install as well.