Handicap accessible stair

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates generally to the art of handicap accessible stairs and more particularly to an arrangement for a collapsible hydraulic and/or electric stair for handicap access, including wheelchair access.
Handicap accessibility to buildings and structures have become a major concern to society and such interest, it seems, will only increase with time.
Society has recognized the importance of integrating handicapped individuals into the working environment after realizing the benefits handicapped individuals provide through their services.
It is also recognized that providing accessibility to handicapped individuals not only increases their freedom of movement but also increases their independence.
Therefore, handicapped individuals are increasingly able to take care of themselves and reduce their dependency on others and society.
Such consequences affect not only the physical freedom of the handicapped individual but can greatly improve their psychological state, including their self-esteem.
Recently, the United States Congress responded to the awareness of the benefits provided by increased handicap access by enacting the Americans with Disabilities Act (hereinafter ADA).
This act sets forth minimum handicap accessibility requirements for public buildings.
The ADA requires building owners to improve access to their buildings.
As a result of this requirement, building owners are in search of effective means to cost effectively meet the requirements of the ADA.
Contractors and designers have attempted to tackle these problems but have met with only limited success.
One of the greatest problems being faced by the owners is that of providing access to buildings that have a change in elevation in the entrances to the buildings or in their interior.
A non-handicapped individual has little difficulty overcoming most physical obstacles placed before them.
However, an individual that has difficulty climbing or descending stairs, such as when limited to travel through the use of a wheelchair, may view those same obstacles as complete blockages to such travel