People with disabilities face a lot of problems every day that are simply invisible to a healthy person. One of the biggest problems for a disabled person in a wheelchair is an obstacle such as a ladder. Currently, buildings, whether residential or social, are designed taking into account the needs of all population groups. They provide a device such as a lift for wheelchair users.
The designs of the lifts differ in technical characteristics, type and method of use, but they have one task - to make life easier for a person who is confined to a wheelchair.
Types of Lifts
Modern technologies and materials allow the production of reliable and compact devices to facilitate the lives of people with disabilities, including lifting devices. Disabled lifts can be in the form of:
- lifting platform;
- lifting platform;
- chair;
- tracked;
- street;
- transport;
- landline or mobile.
Types of Hoists
All models of lifting mechanisms are divided into two types:
- Disabled lifts with hydraulic drive. A great solution for low heights. Smooth running, precise stop at a given level, ease of installation, as a drawback, you can highlight the low lifting speed. There are models of mobile hydraulic powered lifts for lifting people.
- With electric drive. In addition to platforms and platforms, such a drive have mobile lifts. Work on the principle of a crane. Their main function is to move the disabled person himself. They are used in medical institutions, for working with people with disabilities in the pool or in hippotherapy classes (therapeutic horse riding). For home conditions, several different modifications have been developed, you can choose any, for the size and functionality of the elevator for the disabled. The price is consistent with the quality of the products.
Vertical lifts
The vertical lift for the disabled is widely used in places where it is impossible to install ramps at the right angle. They are installed in places of old buildings and are designed for new buildings.
An absolute advantage is the fact that the vertical lift for the disabled takes up little space and is easy to install. It is absolutely safe during operation, firstly, the stroller is securely fixed on a lifting platform, and secondly, the disabled person independently controls the mechanism. In addition, such a device can also be used to lift a pram or heavy load up to 250 kg.
Lifting platforms are vital in public transport. Not many cars are equipped with such devices, they are located in the aisles, they are equipped with a very simple mechanism.
Mobile lifts
Modifications of the lift allow you to adapt it to any architectural features of the building. It is convenient to use the mobile elevator for disabled people of the vertical type not only on the street, but also inside the building with small flights of stairs. They proved to be excellent in old houses without an elevator, where it is impossible to redevelop.
And also in public places, hospitals, shops, or, for example, when you need a wheelchair user to raise the stage from the audience. The ability to move such a lift from place to place can significantly facilitate the life of wheelchairs when a small height of up to 2 meters becomes an insurmountable obstacle.
Inclined Lifts
To help the wheelchair user independently overcome the steps, a staircase lift for the disabled has been developed and successfully used. Its main task is to quickly and comfortably move the stroller through the steps.
The difference in the trajectory of the movement divides the inclined lifts into two types:
- With a direct trajectory of movement. Designed to overcome one flight of stairs. It can be mounted both indoors and outdoors. Fastens on a bearing wall or on special racks.
- With a complex trajectory. Such a staircase lift for the disabled will help to overcome several flights of stairs. The angle of rotation of 90 about or 180 about .
Regardless of the type of lift, it must meet the following requirements:
- the platform structure must be folded so as not to clutter the staircase;
- just as easily and simply, the platform should be brought into working condition;
- provide an opportunity for a disabled person to use the lift on their own, without outside help.
To ensure safety, lifts for the disabled must be equipped with:
- stops that prevent the structure from moving beyond the permissible boundary;
- speed limiter;
- manual drive, in case of emergency;
- special guards that exclude passenger contact with device parts.
Chairlift
Another type of stair lift is a chair lift. Modern technology has allowed to abandon wires and circuits. Today, such a rack-and-pinion device with an independent power source fits perfectly into the interior of any home.
Benefits:
- can be mounted both on the inside and on the outside of the stairs;
- installed on almost any staircase, regardless of the complexity of the route and its height;
- stops automatically when an obstacle occurs;
- the control panel is mounted in the armrest of the chair;
- the seat folds compactly and does not obscure the flight of stairs ;
- a footrest is provided;
- reliable and durable.
The trajectory of the chair itself can be either straightforward or with turns. Safe, easy to operate, mounted both inside the house and outside. When moving to the second floor of the house, on the stairs in the garden, on the veranda - a lift for disabled people will be convenient everywhere. The price of the mechanism is from 5,000 euros and more, depending on the model and the complexity of the trajectory.
Tracked lift
The caterpillar lift for disabled people is a mobile device with a platform on which a wheelchair is mounted, with rubber tracks. It is equipped with a powerful electric drive. The second name is "autonomous staircase." The versatility of the design allows you to use it for any models of strollers and on a wide variety of stairs.
This type of lift is considered one of the most compact and lightweight devices for moving a wheelchair user on stairs. When assembled, it can be transported in a passenger car, it fits easily in the trunk.
Two types of equipment have been developed and successfully used. Tracked lift for the disabled, which provides an escort. It is the assistant who controls the device and helps the wheelchair user to climb the stairs. He fixes the stroller, drives to the stairs and carries out the ascent or descent.
The second option involves independent movement of a person in a wheelchair. He himself enters the platform, fixes the stroller on the platform with special fasteners. With the help of a lever, it lifts the entire structure so that the rubber tracks do not touch the floor. Then he drives up to the stairs with his back, lowers himself onto the rubber tracks and begins to climb. In the same way, you can go down the stairs.
Another advantage of the crawler lift is the possibility of using it not only for its intended purpose, but also for walking on rough terrain. For a wheelchair user, this is an important aspect for the diversity of their lives.
Conclusion
Lifts for people with disabilities make life easier for people with disabilities and help to remain full members of society. To ensure accessibility for people with disabilities in wheelchairs of all areas of ordinary life is a completely feasible task.
Caring for people with disabilities, taking their needs into account when designing buildings or overhauling, and, if necessary, implementing special programs, will help people with disabilities find their rightful place in society.