You’d like to think that buying presents for disabled people should be a pretty simple task – get them something nice; don’t do anything stupid, like buy a mountain bike for a wheelchair user. But then you see something like this article, in which less abled people describe the least suitable presents they’ve ever been bought and the tales of bikes and aerobics DVDs for wheelchair users and comics and posters for blind people make you realise that maybe people do need more guidance.
We assume that our readers are a little more au fait with buying presents for disabled friends and family members so we’ve put together some ideas for men that are a) stylish, b) particularly helpful for less abled people or c) a bit of both. As we always say, Christmas presents are Christmas presents whether able bodied or disabled, but we included some interesting, accessible ideas from the world of assistive design.
Trabasack Curve is a bag and wheelchair lap tray in one. Trabasacks have a firm flat tray surface on one side and a removable bean bag cushion on the other, with a reasonably sized bag in between the two for storage. The bean bag means that the tray will stay firmly in place when you put it on your lap, so it acts as a sort of portable desk for your laptop, tablet, notepad etc. Then when you’re done with it you can fix it the side or back of your wheelchair and carry it around with you. Trabasacks come in a range of different sizes, our favourite of which is the Curve Connect which has an ergonomic shape, a splash more colour than the other models and costs £44.95.
Sugru is an incredible, brightly coloured, mouldable glue substance which can be used to mend and supplement all sorts of different stuff. Out of the pack, Sugru feels like play-dough, and it’s that easy to use too. It bonds to almost any other material and cures just by exposing it to air. You can mould it to whatever shape you want, stick it to whatever surface you need and it then sets into a rigid ‘plasticky’ shape. It can be really useful in all manner of ways but a couple of things that spring to mind are repairing small breakages or shaping into a hook that you can use to hang things from. It’s really versatile, has been stocked in the Design Museum and it looks funky too. It’s £9.99 for a limited edition gift tin and looks like it would be a great stocking filler.
This is an idea for anyone who is always losing things around the house and hates having to constantly look for them. These ingenious little gadgets have been designed to help you find missing objects. You simply stick one of three receivers to the object you regularly lose and then when you next need it, press the relevant button on the transmitter and listen for the beeping. It’s perfect for keys, glasses case, remote controls etc. The only problem that we can see arising is if you lose the transmitter then you’re back where you started. They’re £19.99 at The Present Finder. (I might have to buy one for myself… if only I could remember where I put my wallet).
The Bradley Timepiece is already and inclusive design instant classic. The Bradley works by both touch and sight, featuring raised markers at each hour. To increase tactile legibility, there is a triangular marker for twelve, and elongated markers for three, six and nine. The track on the inside of the markers indicates the minutes, and the track running along the outer edge of the watch face indicates the hours. Suitable for both sighted and visually impaired people, the Bradley Timepiece is a beautiful design. It’s available at designed2enable and costs £204 there.
Xtenex elastic laces are another simple stocking filler idea. Patented Xtenex technology sets incrementally spaced knots along a strong rubber core. When stretched the knots reduce for adjustment at an eyelet, then systematically re-emerge to lock-in an ergonomic fit. Effectively, these laces convert lace up shoes into slip-ons, making them convenient and comfortable for people swollen or painful feet or difficulty lacing. They’re one of many excellent products available at Really Useful Stuff and the thing that stands out about them is that they also look cool too – a good range of colours and a sleek finish.
We’re big football fans at Blue Badge Style Towers, but often struggle to work out how can one show support for their team whilst maintaining a stylish look. Now there is an answer in the shape of BARK scarves who are “on a mission against the forces of Nylon and acetate.” They’ve designed beautiful cashmere scarves in the team colours of every Premier League, Championship and League One and Two Club in England, as well as the Scottish Premier League, and every Rugby Union Premier League Club. At £45.60 they’re rather pricey, but consider them an investment. After all, just like your football affiliation, these scarves are for life, not just for Christmas.
When it comes to smartphone cases we recommend buying something which is easy to hold and can resist a shock, especially if there’s a chance that it’s going to be dropped every now and then. The Griffin Identity Case is thoroughly protective and resistant to impact. The casing is also far easier to grip than most other cases and certainly more so that the phones are themselves, so this gives you double protection by making it less like for your phone to fall and safer if you do happen to drop it. Another good option is a Speck Candy Shell case which come in a wider range of colours and have a good grip feature. Basically, you just need something grippy and tough. If anyone’s getting a smartphone for Christmas, we’d recommend a good case!
An Ablebelt is a simple leather belt made easier thanks to a velcro fastening. There really isn’t much more to say to about it that that. They’re available on a variety of websites including the Adaptawear clothing store for £30. Generally fashion for men in wheelchairs is lagging behind even the few specialist options available for women, but these belts are perfectly suitable and look good to us – just like any other belt but far easier to fasten and unfasten.
If you have any tips, advice or present ideas for men this Christmas please let us know in the comment section or on our Facebook page!
what a fantastic range of good ideas for the men – aren’t they just so difficult. These items double for both able and disabled and will certainly consider one or two of them thank you