Question 1: Have you heard of a wheelchair that can be used on stairs, in blocks of flats where there are no lifts? ~Abdu

Question 2: I've heard there is a newly invented wheelchair that is able to help a disabled person go up and down the stairs. If it is true where can I find one? How much would it cost? ~Ann

Answer: A new alternative to stair lifts is the iBOT 3000. The FDA approved the Independence iBOT 3000 Mobility System in August of 2003. The iBOT 3000 is a battery-powered wheelchair that is able to climb stairs and uneven surfaces both indoors and outdoors. The iBOT 3000 relies on computer sensors and adjusts wheel position to keep the center of gravity always under the chair's wheels. The chair ascends stairs backward and descends forward. The iBOT 3000 Mobility System is manufactured by Independence Technology (a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) and is said to retail for $29,000. To learn more about the iBOT 3000 visit the Independence Technology website.