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About Us

Otis and Joan Thomas started Lift-Aids in their home in Haltom City in 1968, over 56 years ago. Otis had been installing and servicing large commercial elevators and felt the need to start selling residential elevators and stairchairs. In the mid 70’s there was more interest being shown towards making existing buildings accessible to people in wheelchairs. This grew into making vehicles adapted for wheelchairs and people with disabilities. This part of the business grew rapidly as Lift-Aids were added to the Texas State Board of Control and Texas Rehabilitation Commission for furnishing wheelchair lifts in vans.

In 1975, the company outgrew the little home office and moved to a 3000 square foot warehouse in Haltom City, and increased the number of employees. As more pressure was being brought to bear by the public on making public buildings accessible, the company was receiving inquiries about the “people lifting” equipment not only Texas but surrounding states. The installations were ranging from churches, schools, colleges, and office buildings. (with the mandate of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the demand was increasing for this type of equipment.) Otis’s son was working part time and moved to full time in 1976 after graduating from Haltom High School. In 1977, Connie Stauffer was hired to help Joan with answering the phone and scheduling appointments.

In 1978, Lift-Aids had outgrown the 3,000 square feet office/warehouse building and needed more adequate parking spaces and “work room” as there was always an average of 4 or more vans in various stages of conversions. Lift-Aids moved to a 10,000 office/warehouse down the street and continued their growing operations.

Upon recommendation of Texas A&M University Bio/Chemistry Department, Lift Aids, Inc. will be the factory representative for the latest engineering breakthrough in driving equipment for the handicapped,— “Zero Effort” steering system, reduced effort brake, remote gear shift, remote brake and throttle and horizontal steering systems.

In 1978 Lift Aids became Garaventa’s first US dealer and started installing commercial wheelchair lifts. Today we continue to be one of their top worldwide dealers.

In March 1979 the need for mass-transportation of the handicapped became evident due to the high cost of gasoline and the increasing number of employed handicapped. Lift-Aids Of Texas Inc. started receiving requests for bids on small Type II vehicles with wheelchair lifts in them that would transport both ambulatory and handicapped. Lift Aids, started building these types vehicles and has made a name for themselves throughout the country as a supplier of these types of vehicles.

In 1984 Wes and Connie purchased Lift Aids from his in laws. In 2001 they purchased a 15,000 square foot warehouse and that is where we remain today. We currently have 16 full time employees in which 5 have been here over 25+ years. We are a small but mighty crew.

In April of 2006, Joan passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer and Otis passed away in February 2014.

In July of 2023, Otis and Joan’s granddaughter, Amanda, purchased half of Lift Aids from Connie Stauffer.

Today we are a Third generation owned and operated company. We are the oldest adaptive equipment dealer in the state of Texas and in the United States.