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From: Tzipporah.Benavraham@f608.n107.z1.fidonet.org (Tzipporah Benavraham)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: a wheelchair that climbs stairs
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Date: 21 Dec 90 05:30:18 GMT
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Index Number: 12565

from Independent Living & Health Care Today
 
Access Unlimited, a wheelchair orthopedically designed
that can climb stairs up to a 36-degree angle, has been
developed by Peter Axelson, a paraplegic and a rehabilit-
ation engineer. A customized fit is accomplished
by using a feature called a Keyprom.
 
At this time the chair is only available by prescription
and costs about $12,000, which is $4,000 more than a fully
equipped electric wheelchair. The chair is in its final
stage of development and testing, and it should be avail-
able  to the public in late 1988 or early 1989. It is now
being used by hospitals and rehabilitation institutes 
throughout the country.
 
Access Unlimited is sold nationally and Quest Technologies
is now involved in the maintenance, advice and initial 
training. Afterward, the private doctor or physical or 
occupational therapist will train a user. According to 
Addison Olian, a spokesperson for Quest, the chair 
meets the Veteran's Administration's Class 3 specificat-
ons. Since each insurance company has a different policy 
regarding reimbursement for the wheelchair, Olian advises
people to look over their policy and review it with their
insurance carrier.
 
Quest Technologies has a prepared questionnaire for 
potential users to determine if they are right for the 
Access Unlimited. To receive one, contact Karen Melle, 766
Palomar Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-9716.
 

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