Wheelchair lifts can be installed into homes and into automobiles. Having a wheelchair lift in your car or van can is an excellent way to add some mobility and independence when you travel. There are several different models and vendors of wheelchair lifts for automobiles. Before you decide to purchase and have one installed, however, there are just a few things that you should keep in mind.

Platform wheelchair lifts are a solid platform that folds for easy storage. You can find these in an automatic or semi-automatic model. The automatic lifts fold and unfold, and also raise and lower the wheelchair via a switch. The semi-automatic models require you to manually fold and unfold the platform for storing and using, but the lift itself raises and lowers by operating a switch.
The rotary wheelchair lifts are a bit more advanced. Using a rotary lift, you will roll the wheelchair onto the platform, and the platform will then swing the wheelchair outside the vehicle and lower it. When you need to re-enter the vehicle, you simply roll onto the platform, and it will raise the wheelchair to the doorway, and then swing it inside. Rotary wheelchair lifts are normally used in vans, and larger mini-vans.

Before you purchase a wheelchair lift, you need to determine which one is best suited for your needs. You should make sure that the vehicle that you are driving is compatible with the type of lift that you have in mind. For instance, if your car is very small, a wheelchair lift may not work properly, depending upon which one you are planning to purchase. Check the make, model, and the year of your vehicle to make sure that it will support a wheelchair lift installation. You should also check the various lift models to see which ones have a back up system in case the automatic system fails. An emergency manual system will ensure that you can still use the lift in cases where the electrical system of the lift may have problems. If you have a manual system in place, you will still be able to use the lift, until you can have it repaired. You will also have the security of knowing that you won't get ?trapped? on the lift if the mechanism stops working suddenly.

Wheelchair lifts for automobiles add mobility and independence to those in wheelchairs. Having one installed is a sometimes expensive task, but can be deemed well worth it when it means that you have the freedom to enter and exit a vehicle without the constant help of others.