Abstract: A support platform for a person in a wheelchair is disposed at ground level and mounted on the top of a movable support frame within a hole in the ground. The movable support frame is surrounded by a fixed frame having guide rollers for guiding the movable support frame in its vertical movement. A U-shaped handrail, which is not above the ground when the handrail is in its lowermost position, moves upwardly initially relative to the support platform. When the handrail has been moved upwardly a first predetermined distance by a drive arrangement, the drive arrangement then causes the movable support frame to move upwardly with the handrail to transport the person in the wheelchair on the support platform from the ground level position to a raised position at which the support platform is level with a surface of a building to enable the wheelchair to be rolled to the surface of the building.