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.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
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.
I recommend: 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.
I recommend: 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.
I recommend: Check out
AmeriGlide and
Acessible Environments, Inc. to learn about shipping and installation options on lifts for wheelchair-type vehicles.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- 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.
The official source of Wheelchair Lifts is the Wheelchair Lifts page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Wheelchair Lifts for VansLearn More About BraunAbility's Wheelchair Lifts Designed for Rear or Side Door Entry of Most Vans. Improve Your Mobility and Find a Dealer Today.
www.BraunAbility.com
Wheelchair LiftsFind Wheelchair Lifts. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com
AmeriGlide Wheelchair Vehicle LiftsInternal and external, as well as electric and manual wheelchair lifts. Large selection. No wiring needed for manual wheelchair lifts.
www.AmeriGlide.com
Power Wheelchairs & Wheelchair Lifts, Platform & Stair LiftsBuy Adjustable Beds, Electric Wheelchairs, Scooters, Ramps, Vehicle lifts and carriers, Stair lifts and Porch Lifts at discount prices. Free Shipping!
4-medical-supplies.com
Related Resources from Business.com
Comments
Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please 
