Most people love to shop for Christmas. If someone on your list has a disability or other mobility impairment, however, shopping for them can be intimidating and stressful.
Here is a list of gift ideas to help point you in the right direction.
Technology Gifts
Amazon's Kindle is a sleek, lightweight (weighing less than a paperback book) ebook reader. The sleek new screen makes it possible for those with limited mobility in their hands to turn the pages of a book. The crisper darker fonts and the Kindle's ability to read English language books out loud make it a perfect gift for those with vision impairments,
Amazon also recently introduced the Kindle Fire and the Kindle Touch. The Kindle Fire is Amazon's version of a tablet. It has a full-color screen and wireless capabilities, allowing the user to play games, read books and magazines, watch movies and listen to music. The Kindle Touch works the same as the regular Kindle, except that it does not use a keyboard.
For the Student
The Pulse SmartPen is helping students and professionals who have limited writing ability to take better class notes and capture meetings.
Users of the SmartPen generally take short notes on the special paper that accompanies the pen. When the user taps on the note, the pen will sync to that portion of the audio recording. The SmartPen has the ability to record up to 400 hours of audio. The device has a USB plug to connect to your computer, giving it the ability to instantly transfer the recording to your desktop.
Another great gift for college students or professionals is the Sony ICD-PX312 Digital Flash Recorder with Dragon Naturally Speaking. This light-weight recorder can record up to 500 hours of lectures or meetings. When you are done recording, plug the recorder into your computer with the included USB cable and the Dragon software will transcribe it for you.
Other Disability-Friendly Gifts
Specifically tailored for the sitting frame, LegaWear Fashion is the perfect gift for any business person with a disability or anyone in the public eye. 3E Love makes a line of disability awareness clothing that includes hoodies, t-shirts and and tote bags. Their clothing features fun messages that encourage people to embrace their disabilities and their uniqueness.
Great Grips is a doorknob enhancer that allows those with limited mobility in their hands to easily open a door with just their fingertips or even their elbows. Great Grips also glow in the dark, making doorknobs easier to find in a dark room.
Megan Abrams - I have lived with the effects of a childhood stroke for more than half my life and offer a uniquely personal perspective on disability.
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