Open Sesame: invisible wheelchair lifts enable better access for all

A press release from Sesame Access:

Sesame’s hidden wheelchair lifts are making buildings of architectural importance more accessible for Britain’s ten million disabled people.

The Sesame Access wheelchair lift system is uniquely designed so the wheelchair ramp is concealed within the steps of the building.

Designed with a careful consideration of both form and function, Sesame’s retracting stairs are a stylish, practical and design-led alternative to a traditional wheelchair platform lift.

Historic buildings such as Kensington Palace, UK Supreme Court and Cambridge University now have a bespoke wheelchair access system.

Each access system is designed with the wheelchair user’s independence in mind. Lifts can be operated by the wheelchair user alone, offering dignified and discreet entry to many previously inaccessible buildings.

At the touch of a button, existing interior or exterior steps retract to reveal a frame in which a wheelchair lift platform is fitted

With a unique consideration for exterior aesthetics, pedestrian steps can be clad in any material, such as wood, marble or stone, so they blend in with their surroundings. The lift is invisible when not in use, leaving the area available for pedestrian access as normal.

This architectural detail makes the Sesame system perfectly suited to buildings of architectural merit as it can be used in grade one, two and three listed buildings.

This system was designed and developed by hydraulics engineer Charlie Lyons who turned his attention to disabled access after a colleague’s wife, who was a wheelchair user, experience difficulties.

Mr Lyons said: “I wanted to design a wheelchair lift that was easy to use but also looked good. My idea was to change the lift, not the person or the building. I’m delighted that my design is helping to give equal access to all.”

Sesame Access holds an Independent Living Design award and a Millennium Product award from the Design Council, which recognises innovation and creativity in design. The wheelchair lift system is recommended by English Heritage.

The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) makes it a legal requirement to reasonably give the disabled equal rights of access to or within commercial or public buildings.