If you’re wondering just how important it is to make your business wheelchair-friendly, the answer is simple – very!
Failing to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people not only restricts potential customers and future employees, but could also be seen as discrimination.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you adapt your facilities accordingly – ensuring that all your products and services are accessible to those with walking aids and wheelchairs.
Here the team at Level Access Lifts outline the importance of making your business accessible by installing a wheelchair lift.
What is a wheelchair lift?
A wheelchair lift – sometimes called a platform lift – is a fantastic piece of equipment that makes it more convenient for people with mobility issues to navigate obstacles and varying floor levels.
These powered devices are specifically designed to raise and lower a wheelchair and its occupant, instead of having to negotiate stairs or steep ramps. This not only enables passengers to traverse between floors quickly and comfortably, but also reduces the risk of accidents and injuries.
What’s the law around the provision of a wheelchair lift?
As a business owner, you are legally obliged to provide reasonable access for everyone. Full details can be found on the GOV.uk website under the Approved Document M: access to and use of buildings.
Whilst guide rails and wheelchair ramps will both help, a passenger lift is the most convenient way for people to move from one storey to the next.
The lift needs to have a clear landing directly in front of the door at every level, allowing users to manoeuvre safely. It’s also essential that there is an initial dwell time of at least 5 seconds before its doors begin to close, to avoid damage to wheelchairs and prevent loose articles from getting caught.
What are the benefits of installing a wheelchair lift?
Ensuring your business is wheelchair-friendly is not just about having a ramp at the entrance of the building or providing a few disabled parking spaces. You need to make sure that your business is accessible from every angle, and installing a wheelchair lift is a sure-fire way to do exactly that.
Let’s take a look at the potential benefits a wheelchair lift can bring to your business, staff, and customers.
How your business can benefit
By installing a wheelchair lift, you’re basically letting your customers and employees know that you care about them, and want them to have the best possible experience.
With one of these disabled access lifts in situ, you send out a positive message, which ultimately boosts your reputation, drives more footfall, and increases sales. It’s a win-win situation.
Perhaps more surprisingly, these lifts are relatively straightforward to maintain, and they aren’t too costly to run. Our team can even take care of wheelchair lift servicing and maintenance on your behalf.
How others can benefit
The more accessible your products and services are, the more likely people are to purchase and take advantage of them. Don’t limit your revenue by not accommodating the needs of disabled customers!
Wheelchair lifts enable visitors and staff to travel with ease – reaching different floors quickly and safely. They can remain seated in their wheelchair throughout, meaning they are less likely to fall and injure themselves.
What’s more, our wheelchair lifts here at Level Access Lifts are easy to operate. So, instead of relying on their carers and loved ones, they can control the lift themselves – providing them with a sense of autonomy.
Order a wheelchair lift today
Whether you’re looking to update your shop, restaurant, office, or public facility, there’s something to suit everyone in our superb range of wheelchair lifts, and we’re confident we can help.
Browse our online collection and discover the different options available. If you have any questions or need further guidance, please feel free to get in touch with us by calling 023 8081 4924 or emailing info@levellifts.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you shortly.
