Vertical Wheelchair Lifts

Vertical wheelchair lifts are ideal for those with restricted mobility. If you or a loved one are restricted to using a wheelchair, powered scooter, or are unable to maneuver between floors, a vertical wheelchair lift may be the right fit for your needs. Often referred to as a platform lift, a vertical wheelchair lift is designed to help move the person and their mobility device by lowering and raising them between floors without leaving the wheelchair, providing easy access to parts of the house previously inaccessible. Stairs and floor level splits can seem easy to manage, but they do restrict those in a wheelchair or scooter, and a vertical wheelchair lift helps to overcome the problem while giving that person access to the entire structure. Public buildings are usually equipped with elevators and ramps for those with limited mobility, but this may not be realistic for a home. The top three vertical wheelchair lifts available include AmeriGlide, Bruno Independent Living Aids, and Apex by Nationwide Lifts. Consider these questions when installing vertical wheelchair lifts.

Frequently Asked Questions ( 8 )   Add a Question

  1. How do vertical wheelchair lifts work?
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    The vertical wheelchair lift is designed to lift a limited mobile person, a wheelchair, or powered scooter with its rider inside a movable platform. The rider does not need to move from their device during the transition.

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  2. Why not use a ramp instead of a vertical lift?
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    Due to safety specifications and how a ramp works, it may not be practical to install ramps. For example, in order to meet code and be safe, a ramp may need to be 20 inches long for each 1 inch it rises. In order to reach a porch that is 4 feet high, you might need a ramp that is 80 feet long. A ramp is also required to have a 3’x3’ rest area for every 3 feet the ramp rises. This can be expensive and impractical.

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  3. How are vertical wheelchair lifts powered?
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    Vertical lifts can be powered by electricity or hydraulics, and you will be able to pick electric or hydraulics, whichever option best fits your needs.

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  4. Are vertical wheelchair lifts difficult to install?
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    They require specific installation and preparation work. For example, a concrete pad about 4’x5’ needs to be poured where the equipment will be located for support. While it may not be difficult, it will save you time and frustration to hire a professional that can complete the installation in a short period of time.

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  5. How safe are vertical wheelchair lifts?
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    Vertical wheelchair lifts are designed to meet national safety codes put in place to keep users safe.

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  6. Is the lift difficult to operate?
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    Operating a vertical wheelchair lift is quite simple. There is a lever with an up and down switch that the operator holds in the direction they wish to travel until they arrive at the destination. If the person takes their hand off the control switch, the lift shuts off. This allows the operator to stay in complete control over the lift during movement.

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  7. Are there different types of vertical wheelchair lifts?
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    Vertical lifts come in various models. One design is an enclosed platform with walls that can have varying heights and are partially clear to allow one to see in the lift. Another type is a platform that is designed to fit between walls like an elevator, and is partially enclosed by walls. There is also an open platform model.

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  8. Does a lift require any special equipment?
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    The area you live in may have regulations and codes that may require specific equipment to install vertical wheelchair lifts. Generally, the vertical wheelchair lift requires a top landing gate to keep someone from accidentally stepping off the top landing. It may also require two sets of controls, one at the top and one at the bottom, for those that will have an operator. Whether it’s required or not, it is best to have a fascia panel to help keep anything from poking the rider.

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