There was a time in the not to distant past, where those who used mobility devices, like wheelchairs, often had great difficulty getting around. Today, in part because of legislation like the ADA and advances in technology, there are many places that someone in a wheelchair or scooter can go without difficulty. One area that still can cause difficulty is the stairs and it is usually your own set of stairs that presents this difficulty, because generally public areas are made to be accessible. To overcome the obstacle that is presented by the front steps, many people choose to install a wheelchair lift, or porch lift as they are often called.



Porch lifts are designed to span areas of different elevations and allow an individual in a mobility scooter or wheelchair to easily traverse these areas. These lifts use a small platform, which the mobility vehicle is driven directly onto. Once the mobility vehicle is on the platform, it can be raised or lowered, through the use of a set of call buttons.

These lifts, which are sometimes called vertical platform lifts, can usually support at least five hundred pounds and are designed to be used outdoors, so you do not need to worry about it being exposed to the rain or other elements.

A vertical platform lift is an excellent way to allow people to access the stairs. They are usually installed next to a stair case and usually simply need a strong base, which the lift will be secured too. The base can be made out of concrete or wood. In some instances depending on the height that the lift must rise, they are additionally secured to the side of the stairs.

These lifts are great for use in homes, but they also are often used in businesses and other public areas. They are particularly popular with churches, because these lifts can easily and inexpensively added to most existing structures, with little actual modification to the structure. From a monetary standpoint, this makes them a much more attractive option than an elevator would be.

Many public places, like schools and churches, opt to go with a portable vertical platform lift. These lifts can be used without permanently installing them. This means they can be used in one place, like to allow access to a stage, then stored when not in use or moved to another area. These lifts are usually not able to support as much weight as other porch lifts, but since they can quickly be moved, they are very popular among many public areas.

If the porch lift is going to be installed in a commercial or public setting, it is very important to check your local building codes before you install it.

Using a porch lift at home is an easy way to allow access to all areas of your home. While most frequently used outdoors in residential settings, sometimes it is possible to use them indoors. Some are available that are completely assembled, so they only need to be positioned properly and securely attached to a wood or concrete base.

These lifts are great for bridging the gap between the outside of the home and the indoors.