Twice a month, United Spinal Association’s Tech Access community comes together for TechTalks to discuss topics related to assistive technology. On our recent call, we discussed gift ideas for wheelchair users. We came up with everything from physical gifts and devices to subscription/membership-based gifts.
Some gifts can help break down barriers to independence and education or employment. These include an adaptive makeup applicator, various smart-home devices, voice-recognition software and head/eye-controlled computer mice. Others can help provide ease of mind. Think accessible roadside assistance, cleaning and gardening services and meal or food delivery gift cards.
There are gifts that could allow the wheelchair user in your life to enjoy their hobbies, whether that be an e-book or automatic page-turner for the reading enthusiast or wireless headphones for the music-lover. And gifts that may contribute to your general health, such as a massage gun or a seat cushion to help prevent pressure sores.
General Gift Ideas:
- Seven Holiday Gift Ideas for Wheelchair Users — $100 or Less
- Portable Ramp
- Massage Gun
- Top 5 Best Seat Cushions – 5 Best Compared
Tech-Related Gifts:
- 3D printer
- Wireless headphones
- Head & Eye Tracking & Control Technologies | Boundless AT
Gifts for Home:
- Best iRobot Vacuums 2023 (buyersguide.org)
- The best smart home devices in 2023 | Tom’s Guide
- Best Smart Home Devices 2023 Picked by Tech Experts | U.S. News
Adaptive Clothing, Shoes & Makeup:
- befree – Adaptive Clothing | Zipper Pants For All Ages
- Adaptive Bras & Panties (victoriassecret.com)
- Adaptive Clothing Shop | Adaptive Accessories | JCPenney
- BILLY Footwear | Fashion and Function For All
- Discover HAPTA — the world’s first handheld computerized makeup applicator
Gifts for the Reading Enthusiast:
- Automatic Electronic Book Page Turner Device for People with Disabilities (rehabmart.com)
- Top 8 Best eReaders (Updated Oct 2023) – Crunch Reviews
Gift Cards and Subscription/ Membership based gifts:
- Home Cleaning/ Gardening Services
- Accessible Roadside Assistance | Mobility Roadside Assistance — buy a membership for a roadside assistance program in case you need a tow
- List of Top Voice Recognition Software 2023 — subscription to voice recognition software. Some of our members use Dragon and OtterAI.
- Food delivery apps like Uber Eats/ Doordash/ BlueApron
- Amazon
Join us on our monthly tech talks, become a Tech Access Facebook Group member, and sign up for our newsletter! Stay on top of all the wheelchair product trends by subscribing to our membership publication, New Mobility. Join us by signing up for a free membership. To support our mission, donate here.
