Platform stairlifts are one of the main aids available to facilitate mobility or provide accessibility to people with some type of reduced mobility or the elderly.

In everyday life there are many situations in which a person in a wheelchair finds it difficult to access buildings or shops, this situation also occurs on many occasions in the home itself, whether it is a few steps located at the entrance from the community of neighbors to the elevator or from accessing the different floors in single-family homes, a stairlift platform can make a difference both in improving mobility and accessibility and in increasing comfort and safety.

Although measures are already being taken in new constructions, when granting activity licenses to new businesses or in existing neighborhood communities, the truth is that it is still very common to find accesses without alternative accessible routes.

In this sense, and in addition to some models of stair lifts, the construction of accessible ramps or the installation of elevators and lifts for wheelchairs are also solutions.

What do you have to look at?

When it comes to providing an accessibility system for people who move in a wheelchair, one of the main points to take into account is whether it will be used in a public or private environment.

In the case of a public area, the platform must have sufficient measures to allow its use by all types of users, with minimum standardized measures for this.

In the event that it is a private use, it will be important to adapt to the available space taking into account the user for whom it is intended, being able to have the option of platform dimensions smaller than those approved for use in public spaces.

Sometimes and due to its greater size, it will not be possible to install a platform with standard measurements, so it will be necessary to consider smaller measures or the installation of an elevator or a stairlift, which may be a solution, taking into account Bear in mind that depending on the user's degree of mobility, it will be necessary to transfer from the wheelchair to the lift and vice versa, which is undoubtedly the main problem in these cases.

If it is about saving a small difference in level, we should also take into account the construction of a ramp, yes, not just any ramp. It is important to foresee that the ramps must meet a series of requirements to be considered accessible, a typical case would be that of many accesses with a few steps, in which a ramp was built with an inappropriate slope for a person in a wheelchair , which, far from being a solution, is an equally difficult barrier to overcome. If you are interested in knowing more details about this aspect, we advise you to read our article on wheelchair ramp regulations.

Stairlift Platform Models

Depending on the type of displacement, we can indicate that there are two models of platforms for the disabled.

On the one hand, we have those that are installed on the staircase itself and that move tracing the route and shape of the same, guided by the help of rails or guides, and on the other hand we have the stairlift platforms with vertical displacement, which require an independent space on the stairs and exclusively for the elevator and that can reach a maximum distance of about three or four meters, approx.

The platforms that run along the stairs have a base provided with a small folding ramp and arms as handrails. This entire system folds and unfolds automatically once it has been used, allowing daily use of the stairs.

In addition, this system does not require reforms or works on the stairs, since it is installed quickly and easily using special fixings or supports.

Vertical platforms or also known as vertical stairlifts are made up of a semi-open cabin provided with protections or folding arms.

Although on many occasions it is not necessary to carry out conditioning works prior to its installation, it may be possible that they are necessary in some locations where for its installation it is necessary to cut the stairs, rise or make modifications for its correct access.

Our recommendation

If it is about saving a small difference in level and it is technically feasible, it would be interesting to consider the option of creating a ramp, always taking into account accessibility regulations. For those cases in which it is not technically feasible or simply the reform works are so many that the price skyrockets, it would be convenient to assess the option of installing one of the available platform stair lift models.

In the case of saving more than two stories high, the most recommended option would be the installation of an elevator or elevator, a totally different product from those mentioned here.