Case Studies

A ‘life-changing’ project for barrier-free living (Coventry, West Midlands)

8 Jun 2026

Overview

At the heart of wheelchair user Hannah Miller’s rebuild and adaptation project is a platform lift. The Aritco HomeLift Access, easily accessed from her hallway, is described by her as ‘life-changing’. Hannah’s home was renovated with the lift central to the design and focused entirely on her requirements.

The result is a home that is limitless. Where Hannah can be ‘everywhere and with everyone’. Where her independence knows no bounds and she no longer has to wait for family members to do things for her.

“I needed a bigger home to accommodate the whole family and my disability. Bungalows are hard to come by, so we explored purchasing a two-storey house with the possibility of installing a lift,” explains Hannah. “The lift enables me to access the whole of the property without barriers and to be part of everything that everyone else is part of. I was limited in my previous home, but I am not limited here at all, and I can be part of my family again. It has been life changing.”

Design

Hannah worked with her occupational therapist (OT) and Nick Bracegirdle, a chartered surveyor who specialises in innovative, inclusive design to ensure the lift worked within the existing constraints of the property’s layout while also ensuring a clean architectural finish. Nick had recommended Gartec to Hannah due to the company’s collaborative approach and design flexibility after working with the team on previous projects.

“I heard about Gartec through my building surveyor and OT and other people in the community who’d used them in their adaptation projects,” adds Hannah. “I liked the look of Gartec lifts and the functionality. The rep who came to my home was really knowledgeable. I was shown other projects that Gartec had worked on, and the rep looked at my equipment and provided me with accurate information of what I needed.

“I have a large powerchair and a large manual chair. Gartec reassured me that the project would be suitable and the handover was great as it ensured that I knew how everything worked and they offered to come back if needed. To have the ongoing contact with Gartec is comforting.”

VIEW THE ARITCO HOMELIFT ACCESS

Outcome

While Hannah’s independence was the main driver for the lift, her and her family and friends are also enjoying its unexpected benefits from transporting furniture to enabling elderly relatives and friends with disabilities to stay over.

Hannah’s home renovation took around two years to complete with the Gartec team working closely with her surveyor to meet their schedule timeline and tie in with the broader works that were being carried out.

“Gartec’s reputation within the industry for reliability and design flexibility makes them a frequent choice for my adaptation specifications,” said Nick. “It is a seamless, collaborative partnership that turns complex accessibility challenges into elegant, functional solutions for independent living.”