Abstract: A rotary wheelchair lift comprising a hydraulic lift having a vertically telescoping slide tube and a horizontal wheelchair platform support arm attached to the lower end thereof. The arm supports a wheelchair platform having a front safety barrier, a rear entry ramp which folds up to become a rear wheel safety barrier, and a platform extension horizontally movable to accomodate wheelchairs of various sizes and types. A switch box and safety handrail assembly is mounted on the upper end of the slide tube. An UP/DOWN swtich causes the platform to be raised or lowered. An IN/OUT switch causes the platform to be rotated into or out of the van around a vertical axis offset from, but parallel to, the slide tube. A latching lever releases the handrail into a vertically downward position where it folds back the front safety barrier which interlocks the extension against horizontal motion preventing falls by able-bodied users traversing the platform.