Abstract: This invention provides a pivoting wheel chair lift device for raising a wheel chair from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. The wheel chair lift device includes a frame, a ramp, and lift powering apparatus. The third end of the ramp is disposed toward the ground engaging first end of the frame. The fourth end of the ramp is pivotally mounted to the second upper end of the frame. The lift powering apparatus lifts the third end of the ramp. An arresting plate arrests egress of a wheel chair during lifting. A gravity locking bracket and locking receptacle combination lock the arresting plate when engaged. The lift powering apparatus may power the arresting plate and the ramp through two divergent linkages. The fourth end of the ramp can extend over a step to align the ramp with an upper step enabling a wheel chair to roll safely from the ramp to and across the step tread. The invention also comprehends methods of negotiating steps with a wheel chair.