A Buyers’ Guide for Portable Wheelchairs By Sally Thompson

Portable wheelchairs are actually lifts that can be suitably installed in any stairway configuration in a safe, affordable manner. The basic purpose of a portable wheelchair is to increase the mobility of physically impaired people who cannot otherwise access the different floors of their residence or work space. You could use them as effective alternatives of permanent and expensive elevators.

Today portable wheelchairs are available in a wide range of various makes, qualities and models that offer different degrees of comfort and durability. You could even find them in varied colors and styles designed to suit the particular configuration of your stairway.   Some of these models are based on hydraulic and electric power mechanisms. An electric wheelchair lift is powered by rechargeable batteries, which is best for use during power shortages. At the same time, it is a cheaper option than hydraulic powered wheelchair lift.

However, if you are thinking of buying a wheelchair lift, always keep the safety and security factors in mind. Usually the manufacturers of portable wheelchairs equip their products with advanced safety features to keep away possible hazards. Some of these security provisions include integrated tie-down straps for holding the wheelchair securely on the platform, fail-safe electromagnetic brakes, auxiliary wheels for movement across flat surfaces, high lifting capacity and locking cable.

While purchasing an accessible wheelchair, always check and see whether the model of your choice has a simple and noiseless operation, requires minimum maintenance and if it is affordable. Also, make distinct enquiries to the salesperson whether the wheelchair lift you want to purchase is suitable for straight and curved staircase and whether it has tower-mounting and wall-mounting, telephone jack, automatic door openers installation facilities.

When you are satisfied on this front, finalize your deal only with a reliable dealer or distributor. The choice of the dealer or manufacturer is immensely important because it is the ultimate determiner of the quality of the product. Always go for big brand names that are known to supply ADA standard portable wheelchairs equipped with anti-slip flooring, emergency stop switch, handrail, under-platform sensors.