Pool Lifts Make A Big Splash

The ancient Egyptians bathed with essential oils for health, Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for wellness, and the Romans built huge communal baths wherever they went. But there wasn't always an easy way for people with disabilities to get in and out of pools and tubs without assistance. Aquatic Access Inc., a manufacturer based in Louisville, Ky., has helped change that. The company builds custom-made hydraulic lifts that let disabled people enter and exit their pool, spa or therapy tub either by themselves or with minimal help. The lifts can be quite hefty and require careful packaging to ship, but a longtime partnership with UPS has helped Aquatic Access devise appropriate packing methods and improve its business operations as well.