architecture tips

The topic of disabled access is finally beginning to get the recognition it deserves, as service providers across the country seek to ensure their premises are accessible to everybody. As well as helping to create an inclusive society, improved access can also make good economic sense as more people are free to enter a building, with nobody being excluded and all customers welcome.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) service providers are encouraged to make reasonable adjustments to overcome barriers when it comes to access, resulting in those with physical disabilities, in particular, having more opportunity to get around their environment easily.

In some cases, such as in the example of a listed or historic building, it may not be possible to make adaptations, but in the majority of cases specialist disabled lifts can have a huge impact. This means that a disabled person should not come across discrimination when using everyday services such as banks, shops, restaurants and hairdressers.

There are many different types of disabled lifts available for those considering installing one. The main issues are whether to have wide doors, low buttons and flat or ramped floors. Ultimately, a disabled lift needs to tackle any obstacles which would prevent a service user from entering or moving around the space with ease. Each level that the lift reaches should be equally accessible.

With plenty of options available, from basic platform models to more complex wheelchair lifts, there are ways to ensure a building has a sturdy and practical solution, helping it meet the recommendations set out in the DDA. To narrow down the number of choices, it's important to consider the budget available, the amount of use the lift is likely to get and the long-term benefits to everyone involved.

As well as interior lifts, it's also possible to install disabled lifts on the outside of a building, although this is not very common due to increased security and health and safety risks.

Sometimes a specialist lift is not even necessary as a modern and well-designed passenger lift may instead be appropriate if it has been installed with a view to meeting the needs of everybody, regardless of whether they are able-bodied or disabled.

Because of the threat of fines, many companies are reluctant to ignore the guidelines put in place by the DDA, which means that access is less of a problem than in the past and fully functioning inclusive lifts are a more common sight than ever before.

Philip Loughran writes on a number of subjects from travel to law, automotive to education. For disabled lifts and accessibility improvement, he recommends The Platform Lift Company.

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If your health worsens due to disability or an accident, managing the stairs can become a daily ordeal. Many people choose to relocate to a one-level property, believing this to be their best option when in fact there is often a much simpler answer - installing a lift. With a relatively low cost and not much disruption involved in the installation, a residential lift enables many disabled and elderly people to stay in their own home and remain independent.

Which type of lift you choose depends entirely on the size of your property, your current and anticipated long-term mobility, your budget and whether you'll need help from personal-care assistants. Whatever your situation, there is a solution which will meet your needs. The following is a brief guide to disabled lifts currently available to private householders.

Goods Lifts

Sometimes known as 'dumbwaiters', goods lifts (or 'Microlifts') are not only a convenient addition to large properties where the distance between floors is greatest, but are also utilised to safely carry small loads between floors by disabled people who have limited strength and movement in their upper body.

Stair Lifts

Suitable for those who can safely stand or laterally transfer onto another seat, these lifts are the most common ones found in private homes today. Ideal for smaller homes with limited access at the top and foot of the stairs, these lifts are available for straight and curved stairways of one or more flights. Fixed to the stairs rather than to the wall, they can be installed with minimal fuss on most types of staircase.

Step Lifts

For those who use a wheelchair and cannot safely transfer without a hoist onto another seat, a platform lift could be the best alternative. Several different models are available, depending on the overall height of the stairs from top to bottom, the weight of the users and the entrance/exit direction required. With a step lift, users are carried up to the next level while remaining in their wheelchair and are protected front and back by guard rails and/or doors. Strong walls and a suitable amount of space are essential for step lift installations.

Vertical Platform Lifts

For buildings with room to spare, you could consider a vertical platform lift. Similar to most lifts found in large public buildings, platform lifts carry passengers up and down a channel inside an enclosed structure and are available in three different types - internal, external and residential, the latter being slightly smaller and aesthetically more pleasing for private homeowners. Vertical platform lifts are an ideal option for carrying more weight, including heavier wheelchairs and additional passengers.

Hydraulic Platform Lifts

A quieter, smoother form of vertical platform lift, their hydraulic mechanism makes these disabled lifts almost silent while in use, protecting sensitive passengers from unnecessary noise and jarring. Modern and highly adaptable, hydraulic platform lifts can be tailored to suit your own unique specifications.

For expert advice on which disabled lift may be the right one for you, Philip recommends the Platform Lift Company. They have extensive experience in fitting and maintaining disabled lifts.

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