12/29/2553

Equip Your Car with Wheelchair Lift

Having wheelchair to get around is not enough no matter how adaptive structures are designed to accommodate disabled people. To extend more on giving comfort, wheelchair lift for car will make the whole idea complete.

Imagine having a manual wheelchair without any hoisting device to help the patient in the car, it will take helpers just to accomplish a simple need of getting in and out of the car. If you live alone with a disabled person, life would be impossible without help even by just going to groceries.

The patient will end up staying indoors all the time, or will only be limited to simple strolls around the block of a neighborhood. And his world simply ends up smaller and smaller and the world is gaping wide far from reach.

Now there goes a question: if there are at least 3 helpers who can carry and help a patient get out of the car, why buy wheelchair lift for car? Primarily, the three helpers may not be always present to do the job. Given enough monetary budget it pays to invest on car wheelchair lift to complete the accessories necessary to mobilize patients in wheelchair.

You will notice, living with a patient with such disability has the most car trip to hospitals and clinics for periodic check-up. The practical side of investing on a unit is the idea of re-selling it after it is no longer needed in the future. Wheelchair lift for cars is an item you can auction, which can get prospective buyer in times of crucial practical need.

Car wheelchair lift is commonly 30 kg in weight with an average cost of up to $900. It could go less if you avail slightly used items in auctions and sale. There are brands available with extended functions usually for car and other auto use. They are slick and transportable and safe to use.

Actually there are array of concepts and designs suited for specific requirements. There is even a van ramp only for those who would not choose extra complications with mechanisms. But actually, most of portable car lifts are skeletal frames with hoisting accessories, small enough to occupy space. The appearance itself guarantees the effective slimness.

Car wheelchair lift is made functional by electricity and hydraulics. It means it will cost a lot as an added device for electronic or any manual wheel chair. It guarantees to give satisfaction and added independence to a disabled person for any travel by vehicle.




Low Jeremy maintains wheelchair-lift.articlesforreprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

12/24/2553

Wheelchair Lifts For the Physically Disabled

With the help of wheelchair lifts, physically disabled persons can access the different parts of their residences or offices rather easily. These accessibility equipments largely support the individuals struggling with mobility impairments, and help them lead a confident life with enhanced independence and momentum.

Convenient and Affordable Accessibility Solution

These accessibility devices are considered a more cost-effective accessibility option than elevators. To provide smooth and convenient access for physically disabled individuals, permanent and portable models of such lifts that are suitable for residential or commercial indoor and outdoor purposes are available in the industry.

With the help of inclined platform lifts, physically challenged persons can comfortably travel up and down the stairways. These lift models are suitable to be used on curved and straight stairways.

These lifts can be obtained in two operating modes namely electric and hydraulic. The hydraulic model wheelchair lifts use hydraulics for enhanced functioning. Electric wheelchair lifts are provided with battery back-ups, so the lifts can be operated even during power outages. Compared to hydraulic models, electric lifts are more flexible, less expensive and can be installed rather effortlessly.

Designed with Superior Safety Features

For ensuring the users maximum safety and trouble-free operation, these lift models are designed with user-friendly controls and superior safety features such as:

• Anti-skid flooring
• Under-platform sensors
• Emergency alarm
• Emergency stop switch
• Cable safety device
• Handrails
• Manual lowering device

Besides, the platforms of almost all wheelchair lift types are designed in such a way that these can accommodate different wheelchair models including power wheelchairs, child wheelchairs, adult wheelchairs and sports wheelchairs.

Select the Right Dealer for Making the Purchase

When planning to purchase such lifts for physically disabled persons, it is necessary to consider factors such as the extent of disability of the user, available models, their price levels and manufacturers. The leading manufacturers offering superior quality wheelchair lifts are Savaria Concord, Adaptive Engineering, ThyssenKrupp Access and Garaventa. Always make sure to purchase these branded products from renowned dealers, offering quality installation and maintenance services at reasonable charges.




Wheelchair Lifts for Physically Disabled - Day Elevator & Lift provides a wide range of mobility products in the categories of elevators, wheelchair lifts, and stairlifts.

12/23/2553

Used Wheelchair Ramps Can Save You Money

It is an effective way to save on money expenses when you are interested in purchasing a used wheelchair ramp. If the word 'used' makes you as a consumer feel uneasy about the quality of used wheelchair ramps and whether it is too old or not functioning properly it is understandable, but it may not always be true.

Look around for ramps such as wood ramps or even metal ramps that are being advertised as having been previously owned. These used wheelchair ramps can not only make you as the wheelchair occupant feel you have more mobility, you will also benefit from the convenience of owning such ramps. In a time where we all encounter various difficult obstacles in our lives, it is a great relief to know that various accessories will help you as a wheelchair user to feel more at ease and comfortable with your situation.

When you are intending on buying a ramp, there are a few issues concerning the quality that you would need to take into consideration before spending money on the ramp. If you intend on purchasing a ramp that has been previously owned by a private user, you will need to examine the ramp in detail as the owner will probably not offer you a guarantee or your money back policy that you will obviously get from a wheelchair and wheelchair accessories company.

When you are considering buying a wood ramp it is advisable to check if the ramp may not have sustained rot and you will also need to have the wood treated to ensure that it will not be slippery when you use the ramp. You will need to check how much weight the ramp will be able to hold and also how steep it is. If you intend on buying a wooden ramp, keep in mind this would be less costly if you just get the building material and build it yourself.

Alternatively when you are considering purchasing a metal ramp, the first sign you will obviously need to look for is rust. There after, check the plastic grip, if there are tears or holes in the plastic you should probably keep looking for another ramp. Stability of the hand and toe rails need to also be tested carefully as many accidents can occur if these rails are faulty. You as buyer will also need to check how much weight the ramp will be able to hold to avoid any mishaps.

If the ramps are able to fold, test whether they fold properly and how good the durability is. It will inevitably decide on how portable the ramp is. Ultimately you can not put a price on the safety of the wheelchair occupant and investing in a ramp of quality will ensure longevity. Private owners offer portable and fixed wheelchair ramps that they no longer need, but before you consider purchasing one from them, see what offers the manufacturers of used wheelchair ramps have to offer you before making your decision.




Gavin Cruise was born in New York, his father was a wealthy business man in real estate. Gavin had the privilege of traveling extensively with his father learning about a wide variety of subjects. He attended Harvard where he majored in English and from the age of 26 Gavin supported himself by freelance writing. If you would like to read more articles about Gavin Cruise, please visit http://www.wheelchairliftsramps.net

12/21/2553

Wheelchair Accessible Bathrooms - 5 Necessities For Easy Access

There are millions of people all over the world with many types of disabilities. Several of these disabilities make it extremely difficult for wheelchair-bound individuals to gain access to the necessities they need - particularly bathrooms

Bathrooms can pose extreme barriers for disabled people and can make an ordinarily simple task time consuming, frustrating and often impossible.

Creating a wheelchair accessible washroom - whether for residential or commercial purposes - has become more and more popular. If you're thinking of creating a new wheelchair accessible washroom - or updating an existing bathroom to accommodate wheelchairs - there are several things you'll want to consider.

1. Doorway Widening. Before you even consider the wheelchair bathroom accessories, you need to make sure a standard wheelchair can fit through the door of your washroom. A standard wheelchair is 24-17" wide. A wheelchair accessible bathroom doorway should be a minimum of 32" wide.

2. Grab Bars. Safety grab bars make it easier and more convenient for wheelchair bound individuals to gain appropriate access to all areas of the bathroom. Installing grab bars next to the toilet and near bathing areas and inside showers and tubs is essential. You may also want to consider installing grab bars behind the toilet and installing roll-under sinks and vanities.

3. Accessible Showers and Bathtubs. Residential washrooms where one or more of the residents (or even a close family member who visits often) should be converted to accommodate wheelchairs. Roll-in showers and walk-in bath tubs are a great way to make the showering process easier.

4. Tilted Mirrors and Accessible Cabinets. Wheelchair accommodating washrooms should definitely have at least one tilted mirror for disabled individuals. There's no sense building an entire washroom for easy wheelchair access if you're going to leave out the mirror. As we mentioned before, roll under sinks and counters are also very accommodating for wheelchair-bound individuals.

We hope our tips have helped and we're happy to hear you're taking the time to research the necessities of a wheelchair accessible bathroom. It's not an easy task, but it's worth the work in the end.




Rhonda Splinter has been helping disabled individuals with accessiblity issues for many years. She specializes in designing wheelchair accessible shower stalls. In her spare time she shares her knowledge with the readers of TheWheelchairSite.com.

12/20/2553

Mobilift CX Portable Wheelchair Lift

Mobilift CX portable wheelchair lift is specially designed for wheelchair users to access stages and other elevated platforms. This multipurpose lift is of high demand in universities, auditoriums, churches, colleges, historic buildings and schools.

Advanced Technological Features for Higher Performance

The Mobilift CX portable wheelchair lift functions without the support of external electric power, batteries or hydraulic components. It comes with self-sufficient features that help in manual operation. Mobilift is flexible to use in any residential or commercial settings; no structural modifications need to be made to the building in order to enable use of this device. The large platform of this accessibility device can accommodate electric wheelchairs and scooters conveniently. No special training or skill is required to operate the lift, and it is completely maintenance-free.

Mobilift CX Portable Wheelchair Lift for Multipurpose Use

The Mobilift CX portable wheelchair lift is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. It is built to withstand extreme temperatures and is now popularly used for helping wheelchair users to board aircrafts, trains and even boats. Its quick elevation time and locking mechanism add more convenience and comfort for the users. There will be no issues related to rust or corrosion as this lift is built of corrosion-resistant aluminum.

Find Reliable Dealers for Quality Services

Usually Mobilift models are offered 2 years warranty. Today, Adaptive Engineering is the leading manufacturer selling this product that is fully ADA compliant. It is available with many dealers and distributors. Experienced and highly qualified technicians are there in most of the companies supplying these mobility products. They will help you with the installation, repair and maintenance services of the products they sell.

The Mobilift CX portable wheelchair lift has proven to be an economical and extremely convenient means of transporting mobility challenged, sick and aged people.




Mobilift CX portable wheelchair lift - DAY Elevator & Lift provides an extensive range of mobility products such as elevators, stair lifts, platform lifts etc.

12/15/2553

Planning to Buy a Wheelchair? Know Your Facts

Anybody who has ever done a market survey on wheelchairs would know that wheelchairs come in various shapes and sizes and can range from $5000 to $30,000. As an allied health professional, my endeavor here would be to make your job of choosing a wheelchair simplified to an extent.

Two things to be kept in mind before you set out for purchase of a wheelchair are

1. The level of assistance you would be requiring.

2. The places where you would be using it.

Your condition determines the type of wheelchair you would require. A person with tetra-plegia would require an electric wheelchair with a joystick to drive it around. However, people with good strength in their upper arm muscles can go in for a manual wheelchair. Why a manual wheelchair can be a better option than the electric one is because it costs significantly lesser and is much lighter (4lbs. to 30 lbs.) as compared to its powered counterpart (250 lbs.).

It is important to give a thought to whether your wheelchair is for inside or outside use or for both or whether you are planning to do a lot of traveling with it. It is best to get a wheelchair that can go past the narrowest door frames and passages at home or at work place. Accessibility is the key word. You would not want a frustrating situation where size constraints make it impossible to turn it left or right.

I give a lot of importance to the size and weight of a wheelchair. After all, those are the two factors that determine maneuverability and thus your freedom. A lightweight chair, say around 25 to 35 lbs, is easier to fit into a car trunk. Also, they are easy to fold and carry when you are traveling. Motorized wheelchairs cannot be folded.

This brings me to the next criterion which is the dimensions of your wheelchair. Seat width and the height of the back support are two major things that need to be decided. The Seat width is measured as the width of the backside when sitting down. The seat depth is measured as the measure of the back of the buttock to the inside of the knee. The back support height is measured as the length of the top of the shoulder to your bottom.

Add 8 inches to the seat width and that should be the overall width of your wheelchair. Transport wheelchairs are much narrower as their overall width is only 3 inches more than your seat width.

Anti tips, seat belts, and brake extensions can make your wheelchair much safer for use. Cushions and back supports help in positioning a person more comfortably in a wheelchair. Also, head control, trunk control, and upper extremity strength are major determinants of the height and the type of back support you would be requiring. Your physical therapist can be of great assistance in customizing your wheelchair.

I hope that you are better informed about wheelchairs and what to look out for while buying one. An informed customer is the smart customer.




While buying a transport wheelchair, it is best to buy from a website where the features of the product are clearly listed. ojmedical.com is one such site which gives in depth specifications of each wheelchair.

12/05/2553

Wheelchair Lifts For Vans - Types, Benefits and Cost

Wheelchairs have become a very significant mechanism to all disabled persons. Although these devices are beneficial, precautions should still be observed in order to ensure the safety of the persons sitting on them. Even when the user is simply sitting on the chair, we have to ascertain his security. How much more if the disabled is being transported to another place? Definitely, the level of precautionary measures should increase as well. And in the case of transporting people sitting on a wheelchair, the best option is through a van which is large enough to accommodate the wheelchair inside.

However, transportation could sometimes be a bit difficult. For instance, getting the wheelchair inside the vehicle is very effortful and time-consuming, most especially if no capable device is used, like a wheelchair lift.

Basically, there are two kinds of wheelchair lifts: the electric and the hydraulic lift. The electric wheelchair lift, as the name implies, is powered by electricity, while the other one is powered by hydraulics. Either of these types makes the process of lifting the wheelchair into the van much easier. Traditionally, before the chair was boarded into the vehicle, someone had to fold the wheelchair, carry it inside the van, and then lift the patient into the automobile. But nowadays, patients need not to leave their wheelchair because the lift will do all the work for them.

Both types of wheelchair lifts may be used not just in automobiles, but also for residential areas and public buildings. Electrical lifts, however, are mostly preferred by customers because of their lower price. But unfortunately, these lifts are completely unusable in cases of power failure, unless there is a reserved battery for back-up. Hydraulic lifts, albeit not so very popular among wheelchair lift consumers because of their high-maintenance requirement, do not depend on electricity - a reason for them to be fully functional despite a black-out.

A platform wheelchair lift, a more specific type of lifts, includes a small dais that can accommodate the wheelchair and its user. One has to simply roll the chair onto the platform and then push a button that will raise or lower the platform into or out of the van. To maximize the space, the dais folds into the van when not in use. There are two types of platform wheelchair lifts: the automatic and the semi-automatic lift. Their difference is quite simple: the former automatically folds the lift when a button is pushed, while the latter still needs manual folding (and unfolding).

A rotary wheelchair lift, also called a swing lift, is another specific model. It carries the wheelchair in and out the vehicle through an electric or hydraulic boom arm. However, this lift is less popular in the market than the first type. Aside from its demanding maintenance, it is also less capable of lifting heavy weight. On the other hand, rotary wheelchair lifts cost less than a platform one.

Installing a wheelchair lift on a van could be very expensive since it needs modification in the interior of the vehicle; the height of the floor needs to be lowered, and the seats have to be remodeled to accommodate the lift. But the benefits that it gives us and our disabled loved ones are quite priceless.




Victoria Brightman is a former patient who successfully overcame a severe physical disability. Being bound to a wheelchair for more than a year, she has also helped many people suffering from similar conditions to gain a new hope for recovery. As main author at wheelchairvictoria.com, she writes about wheelchair lifts, their types, functions and benefits. Visit her blog if you want to learn more about the wheelchair lifts for vans and the way they can simplify a disabled person's life.