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“Accessibility”, as it pertains to the design of buildings, is a term that most of us are somewhat familiar with. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the “ADA”) mandates that most buildings used by the public be designed for ease of use by persons with many kinds of disabilities. We’ve all seen accessible parking spaces, ramps, and washrooms in retails stores, airports, and office buildings.

Homes, too, should incorporate design features and products that are easier to use by people of all ages and abilities. It’s a concept called “universal design”. For most people however, the image of an accessible home is one of fluorescent lights, wheelchair ramps, and white porcelain plumbing fixtures – more like a clinic than a home.

But an accessible home needn’t be like that at all. In fact, many design features and fixtures that work well for accessibility are also well suited for just about anyone. Accessible design is often just plain good design - a well-integrated accessible home design can and should extend a home’s usability through more than just one phase of family life.

Start In The Kitchen

Making a house more accessible isn’t particularly difficult or expensive. You might even have some universal design principals at work in your kitchen now.

“Side-by-side” refrigerators are more usable by a person in a wheelchair - unlike a unit with the freezer mounted on top. Inside the refrigerator, sliding shelves eliminate the need to reach all the way to the back to retrieve what you want.

A very common disabling condition associated with aging is reduced physical strength, which can make cooking in a large pot difficult if it has to be lifted into and out of the sink to fill with water. Instead of a standard kitchen faucet, install a “goose-neck” spout that allows the pot to be filled without lifting it into the sink. And place the cooktop nearby so that the pot can be easily slid across the countertop to the burner – no lifting required.

The latest in dishwasher design is the “drawer” type like those from Fisher & Paykel and KitchenAid. Drawer dishwashers don’t require as much bending over to load and unload and because there’s no door in the way, they’re more easily used from a sitting position.

Staying Home

As the American population ages and as housing prices escalate, many homeowners are trying to stay in their homes longer. Too often however, family homes are primarily designed for young families and become rapidly obsolete when they can no longer provide the convenience and safety that older citizens need. It’s an unfortunate result of a “disposable home” mentality – but that’s a topic for a future article!

A few simple design changes can make almost any home better able to support changing lifestyles, as ease of use and safety become important issues. One of the easiest is the installation of blocking for grab bars at appropriate places in the bath when the house is built. These simple and inexpensive structural supports are used for the future installation of grab bars, which provide increased safety in showers, tubs, and at toilets.

Another easy change is using “lever-type” door hardware - popular because of its looks and ease of use but also a requirement for persons with reduced strength or restricted mobility. Widening the doors a few inches can also extend the useable life of the house. Standard thirty-inch doors aren’t wide enough for wheelchairs and can be difficult for anyone with trouble walking. A thirty-six inch wide door solves both problems and makes moving furniture a lot easier, too.

Ups and Downs

Stairs are the biggest obstacle to making any home accessible. Typically, a fully accessible home must be all on one level – no stairs, step-downs, or even door thresholds. But a one-level home is more costly to build than a two-story and may require a larger property.

A better solution is a residential elevator. Sound expensive? Compared to the cost of a one-level home on a larger lot, an elevator is a very reasonable expense. It only adds about sixty square feet to the floor plan, and enables easy access to the first floor, the second floor, and the basement. Even better, only the elevator shaft need be installed now – the actual elevator equipment doesn’t have to be in place until it’s needed, maybe many years down the road.

Easier Than You Might Think

In most cases, accessible or universal design isn’t much more than good design sense and a desire to make houses usable by everyone – and isn’t that a worthy goal for any house, regardless of the current occupants? Our houses are sometimes a little too disposable – we can easily make them less so by making them more functional for a wide range of homeowners with and without disabilities. We’ll all benefit from design that helps people stay in their homes longer.

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Boxing is a combat sport of English origin in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists in a series of one to three-minute intervals called rounds. Victory is achieved if the opponent is knocked down and unable to get up before the referee counts to ten (a Knockout, or KO) or if the opponent is deemed too injured to continue (a Technical Knockout, or TKO). If there is no stoppage of the fight before an agreed number of rounds, a winner is determined either by the referee's decision or by judges' scorecards.

In the passage above boxing is explained as two people fighting of similar weight, however rarely of similar backgrounds. In ancient times gladiators were pited against each other to fight to their deaths for entertainment. A gladiator was often the underdog fighting for survival against a superior force.

On the big screen boxing movies have become more successful than any other sports related film. Boxing movies such as Rocky and million Dollar Baby are the only sports related films to win Acadamey Awards for Best Picture.

Directors of boxing movies have the great ability of creating characters with so much in common with the audience. Characters who come from disadvantage backgrounds that are used to scrapping for food and money to support families and loved ones, thus when it comes to fighting for survival in a boxing ring they have what it takes to win.

However they never have the guidance or confidence to realize their full potential. This is where directors creates a kind, lovable, knowledgeable character who acts as a father figure and mentor. The audience is then taken on a journey of these two characters quest for glory which involves some of the following, heartbreak, struggle, sacrifice and belief.

In any sport no matter what it is people will be drawn naturally to the underdog and cheer for them. People don't like favorites winning unless of course they have the favorite backed! This is where directors create another character one that the audience dislikes, rude, arrogant, cocky etc.. who is at the top of the sport.

These two rivals are finally pitted against each other, in one corner you have a fighter that everyone hates and in the other corner a fighter whom everyone has come to love and admire.

Audiences like happy endings they are brought up with the stories of Snow white, Cinderella etc.. they want to exit the cinema happier than they entered. They want the underdog to win because they know how it feels to be an underdog.

The audience admires a character with pride strength and courage. Great Directors are aware of this knowing what the audience desires and gives it to them.

Boxing movies work because everyone loves a good underdog story!

Top Ten Boxing Movies Countdown

10.Rocky III (1982)

Released in 1982 Rocky III written, directed and starred in by Sylvester Stallone became the third movie of the Rocky Franchise. Boxer Rocky Balboa enjoys the wealth he has as world-champion. He only fights against straightforward opponents. Then he is challenged by the arrogant Clubber Lang. Rocky accepts the challenge to prove once more that there is only one world-champion. But Lang wins and becomes the new champion. Nobody believes in Rocky anymore, except one man: former world-champion Apollo Creed. Creed trains Rocky in an effort to regain his title. Co Stars: Talia Shire as "Adrian Balboa" Burt Young as "Paulie" and Carl Weathers as "Apollo Creed".

9. Diggstown (1992)

Rolling in at number nine is the film directed by Michael Ritchie, Diggstown starring James Wood (Gabriel Caine) Louis Gossett (Honey) and Bruce Dern (John Gillion). Gabriel Caine has only left prison when he sets up a bet with a wealthy businessman. This businessman owns most of a boxing-mad town called Diggstown. The bet is that "Gabe" can find a boxer that will knock out 10 Diggstown men, in a boxing ring, within 24 hours. "Honey" Roy Palmer is that man - although at 48, many say he is well past it. A sub plot is thrown in about Charles Macum Diggs - the heavyweight champion that gave the town its name - and who is now confined to a wheelchair.

8. City for Conquest (1940)

Anatole Litvak directs this film based on the novel called City of Conquest. Filled with fire and fury starring James Cagney as Danny Kenny (Young Samson) a truck driver who enters "the fight game" and Ann Sheridan as Peggy 'Peg' Nash his former girlfriend. Danny's success in the ring is helping him pay for his brother Eddie's music education. Danny becomes blinded by acid in a bout, and when efforts to get even fail his former manager finances a newsstand for the now blind and handicapped Danny. Eddie becomes a composer and dedicates a symphony at Carnegie Hall to Danny who listens to it on his radio from his newsstand. Peggy rushes from the concert to reunite with Danny at the newsstand.

7. Raging Bull (1980)

Lucky number seven on our countdown is Raging Bull the two-time Oscar winning movie directed by Martin Scorsese. When Jake LaMotta played by (Robert De Niro) steps into a boxing ring and obliterates his opponent, he's a prized-fighter. However when he treats his family and friends the same way, he's a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any moment. Though LaMotta desires his family's love, something always seems to come between them. Perhaps it's his violent bouts of paranoia and jealousy. This kind of rage helped make him a champ, but in real life, he winds up in the ring alone. An emotionally self-destructive boxer's journey through life, as the violence and temper that leads him to the top in the ring, destroys his life outside it.

6. Rocky II (1979)

Rocky II the sequel to Rocky was one of the most eagerly anticipated and successful sequels of all time. Directed and starred in by Sylvester Stallone playing (Rocky Balboa) is a little-known boxer who was given a shot at the heavyweight champ, Apollo Creed. Having done much better than anyone expected, Creed demands a rematch, embarrassed by his inability to dominate the "amateur" Balboa. Unfortunately, he soon runs out of money, so he is forced to accept Creed's offer for a rematch. They called it "The Rematch Of The Century".

5. Rocky Balboa (2006)

Rocky Balboa the latest in the series of Rocky movies sees Sylvester Stallone return to the big screen as director and Rocky Balboa returning to the Boxing Ring. This hard-hitting, action-packed battle of the age's story sees Rocky Balboa finding life hard. His wife, Adrian (Shire) has unfortunately died and the relationship between him and his son (Ventimiglia) isn't perfect. But when a computer simulation pits a in-his-prime Rocky vs. the current undefeated champion Mason Dixon Rocky becomes focused on a return to the ring to let loose the 'beast' one final time. Co Stars: Mike Tyson as himself and Burt Young as "Paulie".

4. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Weighing in at number four with four Oscars to its name is the Clint Eastwood directed movie Million Dollar Baby. Starring heavyweight actors Hillary Swank (Maggie Fitzgerald), Morgan Freeman (Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris) and of course Clint Eastwood (Frankie Dunn). Maggie Fitzgerald, is a poor thirty-one year old waitress from the very lower classes and with a dysfunctional loser family, decides to make a difference through boxing. She convinces the experienced hardened boxing trainer Frankie Dunn to coach her and be her manager. Morgan Freeman plays the role of Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris an old partner of Frankie who sees great potential in Maggie. Frankie had always a conflict relationship with his own daughter and practically adopts Maggie along her career.

3. Hurricane, The (1999)

Down to the Top Three and Norman Jewison's "The Hurricane" takes its place on our countdown. The true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter played by Denzel Washington, an African-American man who rose above his troubled youth to become a top contender for the middle-weight boxing title. However, his dreams turn to nightmare when he is accused of a triple murder, and sentenced to three natural-life terms in prison. He writes an Autobiography to prove his innocence becoming more and more discouraged. An African-American boy and his Canadian mentors read his book and are convinced of his innocence enough to work for his exoneration. Proving his innocence is not going to be easy. Co Starring: Vicellous Reon Shannon (Lesra Martin)

2. Cinderella Man (2005)

Making it to the number one contender spot on our countdown is the Ron Howard movie set in the 1930's Cinderella Man. In the North American Great Depression, the former successful boxer James Braddock played by Russell Crowe loses all his possessions and savings with the crash of the stock market. Mae Braddock his beloved wife played by Renée Zellweger and their three children survive to starvation and lack of heating and the daily difficulties supported by their love. In 1934, when Jim's coach and manager Joe Gould offers him a chance to return to boxing, he becomes the symbol of hope for hopeless people in a ruined nation.

1. Rocky (1976)

Ladies and Gentlemen the Number One Boxing Movie ever made through unanimous decision is Rocky! Champion of our countdown Oscar winning Rocky directed by John G. Avildsen starring Sylvester Stalone (Rocky), Talia Shire (Adriann), Burt Young (Paulie) Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed) and Burgess Meredith (Mickey) was were "The Italian Stallion" was born. Rocky Balboa, is a aspiring boxer in downtown Philadelphia. His one chance to make a better life for himself is through his boxing and Adrian, a girl who works in the local pet store. Through a publicity stunt, Rocky is set up to fight Apollo Creed, the current heavyweight champion who is already set to win. A magnificent underdog story!

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Persons having difficulty in walking, those suffering from severe illness or bodily injury, and certain physically disabled persons have no other option but to use wheelchairs. The typical type of wheelchair is made up of a seat with a backrest and a footrest, along with two small front caster wheels and two larger rear wheels. Even though there are standard versions of wheelchairs, they are usually customized to suit the need of the patient or the disabled person.

The seat size, seat-to-floor height, controls, and certain other items are normally tailor-made for the individual patient to provide maximum comfort. Several optional accessories are also available, like safety belts, adjustable backrests and anti-tip bars. Mounts for crutches, oxygen cylinders, drink holders, etc. are also provided. Using the so-called omniwheel or the mecanum wheel facilitates multidirectional movement. However, it is provided only when it is absolutely necessary, since control is not as easy as the standard types of wheelchairs.

The types of wheelchairs are self-propelled, attendant-propelled, and powered. Depending on the condition of the patient or the disabled person, one of these is selected so as to give maximum comfort for the user. Attendant-propelled wheelchairs come with back handles for easy pushing. A 4 or 5-ampere rechargeable battery runs powered types. Both dry type and wet type batteries are available, though the dry type is the most preferred one. Pediatric wheelchairs are meant for the use of pregnant women. Wheelchairs for disabled sports persons are special types, incorporating features required for participation in sports.

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 stipulates certain mandatory provisions in building construction for ease of operation by patients or disabled persons using wheelchairs. It is a statutory requirement in the United States that all new construction for public use have to be built to ADA norms. Construction of these buildings should conform to specifications of wheelchair accessible construction. Special wheelchair ramps and elevators are added in buildings so that persons with walking disabilities would not face any undue hardship. Powered doors, fixtures like sinks with lower heights, as well as large-spaced toilets with grab bars for easy maneuvering are other requirements that are generally provided for in wheelchair accessible construction of buildings.

Hospitals that have limited floors are constructed with wheelchair ramps for all the floors. However, in large multistory hospitals and buildings, the wheelchair ramp is provided only in the ground floor or the first 2 to 3 floors. However, care is taken to ensure that the person using the wheelchair has easy access to lifts, so that they could go to any floor without difficulty. The design of the wheelchair ramp has to be done accurately to avoid difficulty while climbing up and/or skidding while coming down the ramp.

Portable wheelchair ramps are provided mostly in old buildings, where originally no provision was made for persons using wheelchairs. Public places like bus stations and train stations also provide portable wheelchair ramps chiefly to make buses and trains easy for persons in wheelchairs. Buses with low boarding platforms are also in use for such disabled persons. Airports too invariably provide such portable wheelchair ramps, when needed.

Fishing is one of the most favorite pastimes of Americans. Retired persons and persons recovering from illness simply love fishing to pass their time outdoors. Hence, fishing spots normally provide wheelchair accessible fishing facilities. Fishing is the best alternative for persons who can not practice active exercises. This outdoor pastime invigorates the body and also lifts the spirit of the person. Hence, disabled persons, retired people and those recuperating from illness keenly seek wheelchair accessible fishing facilities.

Normal lifts that accommodate six to eight persons would be too small for easy maneuvering of wheelchairs. Public places like government buildings, hospitals, courts, bus & train stations, airports, etc. are frequented by persons using wheelchairs. Hence, such places install larger lifts that facilitate easy wheelchair operations. Such special wheelchair lifts are mandatory for newly constructed buildings to enable them to conform to ADA norms.

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Once, society viewed disabled people as dependent, unable to contribute to society. This has changed significantly. Today, disabled persons, particularly women in wheelchairs, have begun to destroy this stigmatized perception with amazing accomplishments. Furthermore, manufacturers have developed designer chairs to accent the incredible beauty and strength of these women.

Last year, New York designers held a fashion show specifically directed to display these chairs. The show was hosted by four women who founded Discovery For Design, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women who rely on wheelchairs. One of these women, Marilyn Hamilton, is the co-inventor of the Quickie wheelchair. The other three were sports, arts, and business dynamos who experienced traumatic injuries and landed in wheelchairs.

This fashion show was dedicated not only to stylish wheelchairs, but also to fashionably designed clothing ensembles specifically created to flatter women who spend a significant amount of time in wheelchairs. The "Roll" Models were four women selected from across the country who had become disabled and demonstrated inspirational strength and perseverance despite their health problems or accidents.

One of these fascinating women, Jenny Smith, experienced an accident while practicing gymnastics. Her spinal cord injury, which occurred 17 years ago, has not prevented her from driving, graduating college with a Master's Degree in Psychology, or working for the Mobility Project, which has delivered over 1000 wheelchairs to disabled people in developing countries.

In comparison, Melissa Holley was working her way through college when an auto accident resulted in her spinal cord injury. She has spoken, attended fundraising events, and campaigned to bring an experimental spinal cord treatment procedure to the United States. She has not allowed her wheelchair to disable her life.

Michele Boardman is a young woman diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. She was confined to a wheelchair by age 12. Despite this, she fulfilled her dream of attending college and plans to become a pediatric genetic counselor. She was one of nine youths throughout the world honored by the Yes I Can! Foundation in 2004.

The fourth model, Rosemary Rosetti, is a successful woman whose life was detoured by the falling of a huge tree that crushed her spinal cord during a bicycle ride. After her recovery, she began to travel the world discussing her journey in living life actively in a wheelchair. She has published a book on this topic, and was recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair America.

These women are a tribute to the amazing strength and beautiful journey of which women in wheelchairs are capable. Their story is truly an inspiration to us all.

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Do you feel that you are different because fate has put you in a wheelchair? Do you want a life as normal as possible doing all the things that most others can? Well you can do it, and those who feel that it is not within your capabilities can stay away from you!

In the movie The Sound of Music, Maria tells herself that when the lord closes a door somewhere he opens a window. This is true for everyday folk like you and me too. We all have good days and bad days. The whole deal is that you take the good days and store them away and when the bad days creep up, bring out those good day feelings and then work your way through the bad days.

Funny sort of advice you would say to people in wheelchairs. It is understood that simple day to day things that normal people take for granted are difficult jobs for you to complete. But if you allow yourself to feel low, then those difficult jobs can become impossible which is worse than just difficult. So your first step would be to try keep up a positive attitude.

People on wheelchairs have achieved a lot in the field of sports and they have talents that need tapping. There are many special groups that cater to wheelchair users. Make a trip to the mall which is wheelchair friendly and check out what hobby options they have. You are sure to find something or get some information about where you can pursue your hobbies.

If you are interested in meeting people and discussing various issues then try the internet. Here you will find lots of sites for wheelchair people and there will be forums where you can voice your opinion, book review corners and even discussions on things like cooking, movies and even bringing up children. You will find people who have the same drawbacks as you and so can understand how your difficulties affect daily life.

People on wheelchairs face a lot of common issues even in day to day living. For some getting around from place A to B is also a job in itself. Talking to these people will help you put your life in to perspective and you will get new and different ideas about how to enrich your life given your circumstances.

Life has taken a different turn for you so you take another urn and bring it back to suit you and your circumstances. Explore all that the internet has to offer and talk to your friends who have used it to their advantage. You will find that there is lot more to do than you initially thought.

Wheelchair people have certain disadvantages but they too have all the natural dreams, wishes and desires. There are many able people who are willing and keen on helping the disabled make their way in life. All you have to do is allow yourself to see all the positives in the world and then the sky is the limit, it really is!

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Wheelchair lifts are one of the aspects of modern society that benefit those in need the most. As technology continues to grow, advances mean that life is made easier for all types of people, whether those with special needs or those fully fit. While other methods of transporting people in wheelchairs have been discussed, it is generally thought that wheelchair lifts are the best. Although wheelchair ramps are cheaper than wheelchair lifts, the lifts allow those in a wheelchair to climb up longer flights of stairs with a lesser amount of work and trouble for the person in the wheelchair. More and more effort is being put in to ensure that those using wheelchairs are helped as much as possible- some countries even make it compulsory for buildings to install a wheelchair ramp or lift.

There are two types of wheelchair lifts; the first one involves hydraulics while the second type uses electricity to run. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts allow a smoother movement when transporting individuals, however can also cost much more than their electric counterparts. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts mean energy can be stored- therefore even in an event where the electricity is cut it can be used for a short time. Electric-powered wheelchair lifts cost less than hydraulic ones; the possible power outage scenario can be compensated for by adding a spare battery.

So where exactly can wheelchair lifts be used? Wheelchair lifts can be installed at home, for example in houses with more than one floor. They can make things easier for a disabled person visiting; no longer will they have to be helped up the stairs as the wheelchair lift can be used. There are also automobile wheelchair lifts that help lifting a person on a wheelchair into a car or lorry. Both sets of wheelchair lifts can often be easily installed within an hour or two, and help a great deal if one is dealing with those using wheelchairs on a regular basis. There are plenty of wheelchair lifts available, no matter what you’re needs; these wheelchairs range in price as well so care must be taken while choosing them.

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People with chronic fatigue syndrome face many troubling issues. First, they must cope with the symptoms of the syndrome. Second, they have to deal with an illness whose cause remains mystifying. Third, their illness has no specific tests. Fourth, it doesn't have specific treatment. chronic fatigue syndrome, therefore, is a great burden to those who have it.

As the name implies, it's fatigue, not the ordinary tiredness that comes from not sleeping or working too long and too hard. It's an overwhelming fatigue that makes any effort a gigantic challenge, and it's a fatigue that rest and sleep do not resolve.

In addition to fatigue, people have disturbed sleep. They might have joint and muscle pain, their memory is often not as good as it was, lymph nodes frequently enlarge and become tender and headaches are common.

I find that if you are unable to sleep at night because of the more uncomfortable symptoms, laying down in a warm and dark room helps. Lay on your back and relax your whole body. If you are having trouble with this, tense every muscle one by one, and then completely relax. Breath through your mouth deeply, but concentrate more on breathing out. Maybe listen to a relaxation tape? Rain always helps!

- If you absolutely have to go out (such as if you are a single parent looking after young children, or maybe it's a celebration and you are dreading the many birthdays there are to come in the months ahead!) do NOT be afraid of purchasing a wheelchair! These help alot of patients get out and about when they are too tired or in too much discomfort to walk, and I have heard it is extremely amusing seeing the look on peoples faces in a grocery store when you casually pop out of your wheelchair to reach the high shelf with the milk on it!

There will be times when you feel alot better, even if its just for an hour or two. Use this time to go for a walk in the park, or shopping, or even just enjoying a sit down in your garden. This really will make you better in the long run and you will find these 'feeling well' times repeating themselves more often.

- If you are feeling sick, or have similar discomfort in your stomach, do not be tempted to stop eating. I find a piece of toast with peanut butter helps no end! Your stomach may just be feeling abit more sensitive to being empty now, so a small (plain!) snack will calm it right down. Remember though, watch your weight and don't always eat toast with peanut butter, I did this for a long while and it isn't really the most nutritious of diets! Despite feeling ill, eat your normal diet regardless. (I always keep a packet of ant-acid/indigestion tablets with me too, these can be very helpful with digestive discomfort)

- Do not be afraid to sleep as much as you want if you can, this will only do you good.

Some experts theorize that the syndrome might come from a disruption of the normal coordination that exists between the pituitary and adrenal glands. Others feel it's an inappropriate activation of the immune system. No one knows for sure what the cause is.

There has been no break through in treatment. Supervised exercise with a gradual increase in its intensity is important. Chronic fatigue patients find exertion difficult. therefore, they become deconditioned, and that adds to the problems of the syndrome. That's why exercise is important. Medicines such as Elavil can restore refreshing sleep to some patients. Patients should not take long naps during the day. Those naps can make nighttime sleep more fragmented. Chronic fatigue syndrome is disruptive, but it is not fatal. That's one upside to the syndrome.

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A wheelchair lift serves the purpose of a personal assistant for a physically disabled person. Without a wheelchair lift, a physically disabled person has to depend on someone to move within the house or to travel outdoors. Wheelchair lifts used for residential purposes are referred to as residential wheelchair lifts.

A residential wheelchair lift saves manual effort and time. It offers safety and independence to the handicapped person, thereby providing peace of mind to the family members. It makes the disabled person stress-free and happy and facilitates working on some job or other. Wheelchair lifts help in independently getting objects that are out of reach.

Residential wheelchair lifts are of different types. Other than the manual wheelchair lifts, there are two types of wheelchair lifts. They are hydraulic and electric wheelchair lifts.

Electric wheelchair lifts are cheaper than hydraulic wheelchair lifts. An electric wheelchair lift is driven by a gear or a belt. Gear driven electric wheelchairs are easy to maintain and are noise free. But they have more of a chance to wear out. They are available in two specifications, AC and DC types. A DC operated electric wheelchair lift can work even during power failure.  Electric wheelchair lifts can be connected to telephone jacks or automatic (mechanical) door openers.

Hydraulic wheelchair lifts do not require electricity to operate. Therefore they can be operated even during power failure. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts make use of fluids for smooth movement and are safer to use. Even though hydraulic wheelchair lifts are expensive, it is advisable to buy these than go for electric wheel chair lifts. A residential wheelchair lift is a blessing for both physically disabled persons and their caretakers.

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Wheelchair platform lifts are useful for those who are challenged with limited mobility due to physical disability and old age. These devices enable them to easily access different levels of their residence or office. Branded wheel chair platform lifts in the market are safe and highly reliable. The main advantage of these lifts is that they can be used for both indoor and outdoor applications. These lifts are designed in such a way that they satisfy all mandatory safety requirements. Most of these lifts have a lifting capacity of 750 lb. Wheelchair platform lifts are also referred to as vertical platform lifts.

Another type of wheelchair lift commonly used by the physically disabled for overcoming their limited mobility is the wheelchair stair lift. Wheelchair stair lifts facilitate easy movement up and down the stairways in residences and workplaces. There are two types of wheelchair stair lifts, straight stair lift and curved stair lift. Straight stair lifts are commonly used and are meant for straight stairways, whereas curved stair lifts are meant for curved stairways. Electric and hydraulic stair lifts are other models available in the market. Electric stair lifts are commonly used and are cheaper than hydraulic stair lifts. An electric stair lift is provided with a rechargeable battery so that it can be operated even during power shortages. Branded stair lifts are provided with all required safety measures. Obstruction sensors in stair lifts identify blockages in the path of the lift and thus help in avoiding harm to the user, as well as damages to the lift.       

There are vehicle wheelchair lifts that will assist a physically handicapped person in getting into a vehicle. Two types of vehicle wheel chair lifts are available, internal vehicle lift and external vehicle lift. Internal vehicle lift can be kept inside the vehicle. External vehicle lift cannot be kept inside the vehicle. Internal vehicle lift can be operated manually or using electric current.

There are many companies that provide different models of wheelchair platform lifts. Bruno, ThyssenKrupp Access, and Savaria are some of the leading wheel chair lift manufacturers. As these companies have nationwide dealers, physically disabled people can purchase their desired wheelchair lift model from the nearby dealer. These dealers will provide you with the necessary assistance for the installation and maintenance of the wheel chair stair lift.

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Ever since its creation the wheelchair became a vital mechanism to every disabled person. It goes without saying that whenever a person is sitting on a wheelchair, special precautions should be taken in order to assure their safety. The level of precaution needs to be increased when the disabled person needs to be transported on a car. Vans are recommended vehicles which are best suited to transport disabled people who use wheelchair.

Transportation can sometimes be problematic if the right tools, such as an electric wheelchair lift, are not available. Electrically charged as well as hydraulic powered wheelchair lifts have been designed to make this whole process less exhausting for both the passenger and the driver. Through the use of wheelchair lifts the person can simply be lifted and boarded into the vehicle without ever leaving the wheelchair.

Currently there are two kinds of wheelchair lifts designed for automobiles (Vans), these are hydraulic and electrically powered wheelchair lifts.

- Electrical wheelchair lifts as the name implies rely on electricity in order to function, these are usually preferred by users because of the cost associated with them.

- Hydraulic wheelchairs lifts are not as popular as their counter parts because they rely on special fluids which need to be changed and replenish after some time, this maintenance process has proven to be expensive as well.

Some electric lifts allow people to mount and dismount the lift in the same direction while others have different ways to lift people on wheelchair. The way the person enters or exits from the lift will entirely depend on the size and kind of wheelchair being used, so there isn't a 'one-model-fit-all' type of lifts.

The main advantage of hydraulic wheelchairs over electric ones is that they will continue to work even when the power supply is interrupted, on the other hand , electric wheelchair lifts are reasonably priced and have several useful extensions which allow mechanical door openers to work in conjunction with the lift. When buying an electric powered wheelchair lift, it is always recommended to acquire a model which uses a battery back up, in case of an emergency or power failure.

Beware though, the cost of a wheelchair lift can be pretty high, but keep in mind that it is a necessary tool. The cheapest lift is a little over ten thousand dollars. Moreover, this equipment is usually not be covered by Medicare or insurance agencies, one can however get a discount directly from the manufacturer of the vehicle (Van), so proper communication with the car dealer is important.

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