Are there benefits to using a wheelchair lift rather than an elevator, and visa versa?
Wheelchair lifts are approximately 40% the cost of an elevator and have typically shorter manufacturing lead times; however, historically, they are not nearly as reliable, and typically require service more frequently. Wheelchair lifts can only be used for the transporting of disabled individuals, and only one at a time. Elevators can transport several individuals at a time and can be used to transport materials as needed. Depending on the number of individuals on the upper floor, one wheelchair lift may not be adequate to serve all those that need access. Elevators are also historically much, much faster than wheelchair lifts. Must the point of access be within a certain number of feet of all classrooms? State and federal law does not address this issue; however, there may be some civil rights implications, if there is closer access for the average non-disabled individual. The California Division of the State Architect, Access Compliance, has come out with a policy that wheelchair lif
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