USAStairlifts for Churches
For many, places of worship are a key part of life in the community. Whether a church, synagogue, mosque or temple, these are places where people come together, share in their common beliefs and enjoy each other’s company. But for those struggling with mobility, attending services can be difficult. Many churches and places of worship are located in older buildings that were not designed to accommodate people with limited mobility. So, what’s the best answer? Maybe you’ve explored church elevator grants or other church accessibility options, but found the cost to be prohibitive for your congregation. While there are a number of ways to improve your church’s accessibility, installing a stairlift in your church is a simple and cost effective way to help your members and parishioners get around safely.
Do churches have to comply with ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not apply to churches and religious organizations, so you won’t need to comply with the accessibility standards established for most public buildings. Still, accommodating those with limited mobility is important for fostering a welcoming community. Your church’s accessibility solution needs to be safe, but it also needs to fit in with the structural limitations of your place of worship.
How much do church elevators cost?
While a church elevator is probably the most accessible option you can choose, it also comes at a higher price point and can require significant structural changes and building work. Depending on the type of elevator you choose (hydraulic elevator or pneumatic elevator), installing an elevator in your church can cost between $35,000 and $50,000. For many congregations, this a very high price to pay. Fortunately, church stairlifts provide an affordable alternative that can help your congregants get around safely.
What are the benefits of getting a stairlift for your church?
There are many benefits to getting a stairlift for your place of worship. To put it simply, a church stairlift is the most cost-effective way to make your church safer for your congregants. It involves the least amount of building work and can be installed much quicker than an elevator. Check out more details about church stairlifts below.
- A stairlift makes your place of worship more accessible for parishioners and guests with limited mobility.
- Installation is quick, clean and doesn’t require heavy construction or building work.
- A stairlift reduces the risk of falls and accidents, giving your parishioners peace of mind.
- A stairlift leaves plenty of room for others to use the stairs.
- A stairlift is more affordable than installing an elevator.
Click here to watch a video of a Stannah stairlift to see how it works.
Where can I find a stairlift for my church or place of worship?
Stannah and our certified dealers can install a stairlift in your church or place of worship. Our team of experts have the knowledge and experience to provide you with a stairlift that will serve your congregation for years to come. With a wide range of features and options, we can help you select the perfect stairlift for your place of worship.
What features does a Stannah stairlift have?
Stannah stairlifts are backed by a local team of expert technicians and equipped with a range of safety features and options to help make things easier for those with limited mobility. Let’s take a look at the types of stairlift available for your church and some of the features that can help make them easier to operate for those attending your services.
Church Stairlift Models for Straight, Curved and Outdoor stairs
Maybe you just have a straight-run staircase. Maybe your building features a long, beautiful spiral staircase or some outdoor steps leading up the entrance of your church. In all of these cases, Stannah can install a church stairlift for your unique situation. In the video below, you can see a bit about how our curved stairlifts work. They’re custom-made for each staircase, so yours will be sure to fit snugly around the bends and turns of your curved staircase.
Powered footrest as standard
When getting in and out of a stairlift, navigating around the footrest can be tricky. Fortunately, while many companies employ manual footrest options, Stannah stairlifts come with a powered footrest fold button as standard. This means the footrest folds up and down with the push of a button. The user can sit down and secure themselves in the chair, before bringing down the footrest and proceeding upstairs.
Stairlift Seatbelts
Stannah has the only seatbelt designed specifically for a stairlift. Its large buckle was designed for arthritic fingers and limited dexterity. This seatbelt’s design makes it easy to fasten with only one hand. In addition to the standard Stannah seatbelt, there are also a variety of seatbelt options including: a five-point harness, lap diagonal and an “immobilizer seatbelt,” which requires the seatbelt to be fastened in order for the stairlift to operate.
Wall Controls
Since multiple people will be using the stairlift in your place of worship, it’s important for users to be able to call the stairlift up or down stairs. To that end, Stannah stairlifts come with two mounted wall controls, so the lift can be called to the user with the push of a button.
Safety Edges
Churches are busy places and it’s critical that your stairlift is equipped to handle obstructions on the stairs. Every Stannah stairlift is has safety edges on the footrest and carriage; so, if something has been dropped or left on the stairs, the stairlift will come to a gentle, but immediate stop.
Other details
There are other key features and options to consider when choosing a stairlift for your church or place of worship. Many of which are best discussed during an assessment of your specific situation. However, we should also note that the typical weight capacity for stairlifts is between 300-350 lbs. You can also choose the upholstery option that best suits your building’s décor.
If you’d like to learn more about getting a stairlift for your church or place of worship, get in contact with Stannah today. Our process is simple and easy and our experts will take the extra time to cover all your options and review pricing with your church officials and leadership board. Make your place of worship accessible for the whole community. Call us today!