You step on the platform, witch is big enough for your whole foot, and push a button to go up or down. It is run by your 24v drill batteries. The handle has the button you hold on to in order to go up or down. Holding on to the handle will give you better stability, especially going down. I don't know if you have ever thought you were all the way down and you had 2 steps to go, wow that was a big step to the floor.