First, the most common would be a vertical lift. These devices are installed alongside an existing stair case and essentially perform a dead lift of the platform and anything that stands on top of the platform. It goes straight up, connect the base of the stair case to the top platform. These are ideal in stair cases like those that go along the outside of the building or an entrance stair case, anything that is not bordered on at least one side by a wall. Having a wall on both sides would preclude you from being able to use this type of lift. Additionally, consider that there needs to be room for the motor and lift mechanism, which can occupy as much as four cubic feet and is a freestanding structure. While this is the most common of the wheel chair lifts options, it’s certainly not the only one.

Another option for a closed in stair case, while not strictly one of the traditional wheel chair lifts in that it cannot lift a whole wheel chair, but rather transport a person that can meet the wheelchair at either end of the lift, is a stair lift; this simply requires a track to be laid against the wall and over the stair case, and a sturdy chair is fitted onto this track. This track is capable of sustaining vast amounts of weight and uses electric controls to mechanically slide the rider up and down the stair case. This is one of the sleekest units available, as it mounts to the wall and has a control panel within the chair. The motor and power source are designed to be very small and out of the way, as it designed to be mounted in a public through way.

Finally, another variety of lift enables greater access for transportation vehicles and companies that may need to avail themselves of these, like taxis and companies that specialize in transportation. Mounted into a van, these wheel chair lifts are designed to use a small platform and relatively compact motor and power source to hoist a wheel chair straight into the van, bridging the several feet that would normally stand between the bottom of the van and the ground. This enables the wheel chair user to remain in their seat while being transported without having to depend on available help or seating that may not be ideal for their needs.

Accessibility is something that can make or break a company. To be sure, companies consider the building location they choose and their advertising placements to ensure that the greatest number of people can happen upon them at the opportune moment, but it is equally as important to ensure that all customers who want to avail themselves of certain services are able to. Adding wheel chair lifts to a building allows for increased customer traffic to a business. More than that, it is legally in a company’s best interest to be fully accessible.