Wheelchair Lifts for Vans - How to Choose One For Your Van

Just because you are wheelchair-bound doesn't mean you have to stay home all the time

. Wheelchair accessible vans allow handicapped individuals to go from place to place. However, loading and unloading a wheelchair can be difficult as well as uncomfortable. That's why wheelchair lifts for vans are often used to transport wheelchairs easily.

If you use a wheelchair but want to drive yourself around, you can drive a van equipped with a wheelchair lift. Vans can be fitted out with different kinds of wheelchair lifts.

Platform Wheelchair Lifts

A platform lift has a large, flat surface the same size as a wheelchair. The platform, with the wheelchair on it, is raised to the floor level of the van. Platform lifts can be solid or folding. They can also be automatic or semi-automatic. A fully automatic lift will fold, unfold, lower and raise the platform by operating a switch. A semi-automatic platform lift has to be manually folded and unfolded.

Rotary Wheelchair Lifts

The rotary wheelchair lift is sometimes called a "swing-out" lift. It has a platform that folds or telescopes. This type of lift does not raise flat to the level of the van's floor. Instead, the platform with the wheelchair on it rotates into the van. The wheelchair is transported by moving it up and down, and swinging it inside or outside. This is often used in minivans and vans.

Lifts can also be semiautomatic or automatic. Semiautomatic lifts are partly operated by hand while automatic lifts use power to perform all its functions.

Choosing a Wheelchair Lift for Your Van

Selecting a lift for your van depends on a number of factors. One important consideration is the lift features. The features to look for will depend on who will use the lift and how often. Some basic features to consider are the platform dimensions, safety feature to prevent the platform from rising if the wheelchair is not positioned properly, handheld controls, warnings and alerts when conditions are not safe, etc. Not all these features may be available, so you should decide which ones are most useful and important to you.

Operating the lift is another important thing to consider. Lifts can be controlled electrically, hydraulically or manually. They may use handheld controls, on-lift controls, or remote control. Manual controls are good as back up. In general, lifts with less features and functionalities are simpler to operate.

Choose a wheelchair lift for your van that is easy to install. You must know exactly how the lift is to be installed, the possible locations to install it, and the amount of space it will take up. The services of a qualified technician may be needed.

Wheelchair Lifts for Vans - How to Choose One For Your Van

By: Henry Otterman

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