It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But let’s not pretend like buying gifts for everyone on your list isn’t stressful. Since we don’t live in a universally designed world (yet – I have hope!), buying gifts for your loved ones with disabilities can be challenging, so I’ve compiled a list of gifts that have accessibility features. The pro is that these are mainstream items – they are more affordable and easier to acquire. The con is that these products are definitely not universally designed – they are not intended to be accessible for all. My goal here is to have a list of gift ideas with identified features that may make it more accessible for some people so that you can pick and choose what will work best for your loved one.
So, let’s dive in! Here are 10 gifts that I pulled from Amazon’s hair and makeup list with my thoughts as an OT and ATP. These are listed in no particular order – no one item is “better” or more accessible than the other, it just depends on what works for you!
Any hyperlinks are indicated with a *.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
colored claw clips on the left, with a picture of
a claw clip in a brunette woman’s hair on the right.
These claw clips are not as wide as the traditional clip. This means that it requires less strength to open and can be used for one-handed pony tails!
pink and red furry claw clips.
Be kinder to your joints by using a cushioned claw clip! These furry claw clips are easier to open by providing cushioned support to your joints.
a red and green bird nest clip.
Another one-handed up-do solution! This bird nest clip allows you to just pull your hair through and tighten the clip.
black hair using a hair fork to secure her bun.
A hair fork is a great solution for people who may have some functional use of both hands, but struggle with the manipulation and dexterity it takes to use most clips and hair ties. Just twist your hair into a bun and slide the fork in to hold it in place!
on someone’s wrist.
A magnetic bracelet can be helpful for everyone, but specifically: 1. Those who have visual impairments to help keep track of where items are. 2. Those with range of motion limitations to reduce the need for reaching for items. 3. Those who get fatigued easily by reducing the amount of reaching and 4. Those who have difficulty with material management.
stand holding 5 black makeup brushes, brush-side down.
A makeup brush holder is a great solution for anyone who is visually impaired – instead of throwing brushes randomly into a drawer, they can now be organized so you know where each type of brush is all the time. This is also great for those with cognitive impairments to remember what brush is for which makeup step as you can set up the brushes in order of use.
makeup brush.
Electric Rotating Makeup Brush*
This rotating makeup brush really reduces the amount of physical effort and range of motion needed when applying makeup. It can also reduce the amount of energy needed, saving you energy for whatever comes next in your day!
neon set of makeup brushes.
Similar to the makeup brush holder, using colored makeup brushes can make it easier for visually impaired persons to distinguish between brushes. Color coding is also helpful for those with cognitive impairments to remember the order of steps when applying their makeup.
Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner*
Take all of the physical, visual and mental effort out of cleaning your brushes with this electric makeup brush cleaner. All you have to do is let the machine do the work for you!
A long-time favorite, this magnifying, light up mirror is last but certainly not least. With various magnification and lighting levels, this mirror is a must-have for any visually impaired beauty expert!
ATOT 