With the holiday season getting into full gear, a number of resources are available for accessible shopping, gift giving, cards, activities, and more. Following are a few examples:
From APH Connect Center: Gift-Giving Guidance and Suggested Offerings
When selecting presents for people who are blind or have low vision, gift givers can choose those that are “thoughtful, accessible, and enjoyable” by checking out the APH Connect Center “Gift Giving Guide for People Who are Blind or Low Vision.” The Guide offers advice about how to consider factors like “accessibility, ease of use, and sensory engagement.” Braille gifts can be more than for reading pleasure, including jewelry, games, and watches. Tactile games and puzzles, audio books, music, and subscriptions, assistive technology, and gadgets like talking clocks and smart speakers are also among the options noted. Discover more about these and other options in the Gift Giving Guide for People Who are Blind or Low Vision.
Supporting Entrepreneurs Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
In embarking on holiday shopping, consider supporting businesses run by individuals who are blind or have low vision. The site provides a list of books written and small businesses owned by individuals with vision loss. Books include The Color Purple by Alice Walker, Stand by Me RP by Dave Steele, and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks, to name a few. Among the businesses cited are the Blind Mice Mega Mall, Guidelights and Gadgets, The Blind Woodsman, and Two Blind Brothers. For more information and the complete list, visit the webpage for Holiday Gifts: Supporting Authors and Business-Owners Who Are Blind or Low Vision.
From Perkins School for the Blind: 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for All
Perkins has published its latest holiday gift guide for people who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities. The guide features more than 50 “empowering and inclusive gift ideas that bring you closer to your loved ones while supporting small businesses.” Gift givers are advised, first and foremost, to hone in on the individual’s preferences, whether they enjoy tech devices, classic toys, new clothes, or other items. Categories include such diverse interests as “Fashion and Style,” “Toys,” “Chef and Kitchen,” “Bookworm,” “Technology,” and more. For specific products, additional details and ideas, read the 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for all: Embrace the spirit of inclusion.
From Paths to Literacy: Holiday Ideas and Activities
Paths to Literacy offers many ideas from the vision community for children who have visual impairments. Braille designs, for example, include such items as holiday wreaths; designs with Santa, a candy cane, Christmas tree, and an angel; and a Menorah Braille Art Design. Suggestions for both Christmas and Hanukkah activities are included as well. Books, sensory holiday craft learning projects, and numerous other creative ideas are also featured. Read more here about Paths to Literacy’s Holiday Ideas and Activities 2024 Edition.
E-Commerce Platform for Accessible Shopping
An e-commerce site built for people who are blind and visually impaired, Innosearch AI features more than 500,000 retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. This AI platform is screen-reader compatible and accessible. Bulletin readers may receive a $10 discount off their first purchase by using the code RDPFS10 at checkout. No minimum purchase as well as free shipping and returns are included. More information about the platform is available on the Innosearch AI website. To shop, visit their shopping page.
Previous Bulletin articles featured many additional holiday resources, including Accessible and Enjoyable Holiday Activities, Braille and Large Print Greeting Cards, Braille Greeting Cards, and Holiday Gifts for Family and Friends Who Are Visually Impaired.
