Gift Buying: Solutions of a Blind Shopper

By Daniel Taverne

o matter what the occasion: Valentines, Christmas, birthdays, mother’s day or whatever, for blind folks, buying gifts can be a real drag. Fortunately, utilizing some common sense strategies can help.

I am legally blind, so when I go shopping, I encounter the following problems and utilize the corresponding solutions:

Problem: Since I can’t read normal printed materials, I don’t know the prices of anything, and in many instances, I can’t read other important information such as the names of scents or the sizes of clothing.

Solution: I’m not ashamed to quickly explain to a nearby shopper that “I’m visually impaired, and could they read this for me”. I’ve done this since 2003 and I have never had a rude or ugly response from strangers. If no one is nearby, I go to the customer service desk and ask for help.


Problem: when shopping for a gift, in many instances I don’t know what anything is until I touch it, and then, if it’s encased in plastic, or in a box, touching doesn’t tell me much. That being said, if I don’t think about what I want to buy ahead of time, I often find my self wasting time touching just about everything on the shelves.

Solution: I find I don’t do this as much when I have a good idea of what I want to buy before getting to the store.

Problem: Greeting Cards. Here’s a challenge for you: Try picking out a card for someone without being able to read it.

Solution #1: Sometimes, instead of buying a card, I’ll make a card myself utilizing card stock, some construction paper, ribbon, magic markers, and so on creating a warm personal gift that seems more appreciated than the store-bought ones. This way you can say whatever you want. You might embellish a handmade card with a picture of yourself, or of your favorite place.

Solution #2: Sometimes, I get someone else (friend or store employee) who will be happy to read the cards for me.

Problem: Buying for a family member when it’s that family member who took me shopping. This poses a significant problem when I don’t want that family member to see what I bought.

Solution: I decide what gifts I want to get prior to getting to the store. This is a good idea for a few reasons. First of all, since you have an idea of what you want to buy, getting a store employee to help you find stuff will be much easier.

Second, I can explain to the person who brought me to stay away from certain sections until I call him/her on the cell phone.

Problem: Getting gifts to the car without them being discovered.

Solution: First, I make a mental note of where the car is parked, then I get a store employee to help me get to it when I need to deposit the gifts. Second: When possible, I get the checker to double bag the things inadvertent glances might reveal.

Problem: Getting lost in the store is pretty easy for a visually impaired person. By ‘lost’ I mean the visually impaired person can’t find loved ones. This is tough enough for sighted people.

Solution # 1: Set up a prearranged time and place to meet.
Solution #2: Use 2 way radios or have your cell phones with you and simply call your loved one.

Solution #3: You can have a store employee page your loved one.

As you have read, shopping can pose problems for the sight impaired. With some smart strategies however, there are many solutions that can help.

If you’ve encountered issues not listed here, I want to hear about them. Click on comment link below, or leave message in my GUESTBOOK.

I'll post your additions to the discussion here. Together we can make life easier for each other.

Thank You.