The goal of the AccessBot project is to provide a new form of access for the disabled that integrates teleconferencing with life-sized display screens, robotics and high speed networking, to create a virtual presence for the handicapped participant at meetings. The use of a life-sized display and high-fidelity video and audio conferencing rather than existing conference room meeting systems is to ensure that the handicapped participant commands as equal a presence as the regular participants in the meeting. The use of a zoom / pan / tilt camera empowers the handicapped participant with capabilities beyond what is “humanly” possible - giving them a “bionic” eye with which they can see far greater distances.