Choosing a gift for someone who has lost their vision presents a special type of challenge. Instead of it being visually appealing, you need to focus on their other senses, especially touch and sound. Here are some common gift ideas for the visually challenged and a few that are downright genius.
Common Gift Ideas
#1 Domino Set
If you are buying for someone who loves to play games, why not a domino set made just for the blind? For around $13.00 you can find a raised dot set of dominoes made of sturdy plastic. Each domino has a rough texture on the back to keep it from sliding, and tactile dots and line on the front for easy reading.
Where you can get it: braillebookstore
Price: $13
Delivery Time: About 2 Weeks for North America and longer for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Eastern Canadian provinces. Express delivery can take about 4-5 business days.
#2 Pocket Money Brailler
Making your friends life easier is a great way to share the love. A pocket money brailler that clips on to their keychain will do just that. Only around $7.00, this device is big enough to mark $1 to $100 bills yet small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.
Where you can get it: braillebookstore
Price: $7
Delivery Time: About 2 Weeks for North America and longer for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Eastern Canadian provinces. Express delivery can take about 4-5 business days.
#3 Portrait of My Father Audio Book
One of the most talked about Books of the year, A Portrait of My Father, by George W. Bush is available on audio. Hearing about this families legacy as told by one of its members lets your friend appreciate the way we do, the impact they made in history. You will find the audio CD priced at under $25.00.
Where you can get it: Amazon
Price: $25
Delivery Time: Free two day shipping is available with the option to upgrade it to one day shipping.
#4 Soft Down Comforter or Fleece Throw
Consider that the sense of touch and wrap your loved one in a soft down comforter or fleece throw. The quality of such a thoughtful gift will glow right through their fingertips. Prices will vary depending on the type and size, but you’ll find a blanket in every price range.
Where you can get it: Walmart
Price Range: Depends on type and size
Delivery Time: Takes 2 to 3 weeks to arrive depending on the location.
#5 Voice Command Alarm Clock
An alarm clock that responds to voice commands and talks back takes your family member’s desire for independence into consideration. You can find these incredible products online for around $70.00.
Where you can get it: Sharperimage
Price: $70
Delivery Time: Takes 3 to 4 days to arrive depending on the shipping option chosen and location.
#6 Talking Ornament
One regret around the holidays for the visually impaired is their inability to see the special décor and lights. At least with a talking ornament, your voice can be recorded in a special place on the tree just for them. For only $25.00, your loved one becomes an active participant in the decorating of your home.
Where you can get it: Amazon
Price: $25
Delivery Time: Free two day shipping is available with the option to upgrade it to one day shipping.
#7 Handheld Braille Labeler
A handy labeler in braille will make for easy identification of anything in your home. This great device is only around $25.00 but will seem like a million dollar lifesaver for the visually impaired.
Where you can get it: Amazon
Price: $25
Delivery Time: Free two day shipping is available with the option to upgrade it to one day shipping.
#8 Women’s Mesh Band Braille Watch
If you are buying a gift for a special blind lady in your life, consider a mesh band Braille watch. With tactile dots on the face, this $50.00 gift is practical, yet something every woman desires.
Where you can get it: Amazon
Price: $50
Delivery Time: Free two day shipping is available with the option to upgrade it to one day shipping.
#9 Men’s Gold Braille Talking Watch
For men there is the gold Braille talking watch that uses both a tactile face and male speaking voice to tell time. At around $90.00, this is a gift that will be appreciated for years.
Where you can get it: Amazon
Price: $90
Delivery Time: Free two day shipping is available with the option to upgrade it to one day shipping.
#10 Regulation Soccer Ball
For kids on your list, you can find sporting goods that are specially designed for the blind. Toys like a regulation soccer ball with bells inside let them play just like any other kid. This gift costs only $15.00 but is priceless for a child.
Where you can get it: braillebookstore
Price: $15
Delivery Time: About 2 Weeks for North America and longer for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Eastern Canadian provinces. Express delivery can take about 4-5 business days.
Now that you have this handy list of some cool gifts specially for the visually impaired, isn’t it time you also give consideration to some of the most unique gifts specially designed for the most special people in your life. These are the gifts that will surely knock their socks off.
Unique Gifts
Innovations in technology allow you to offer your visually impaired friends and family members gifts that are designed for maximum independence. If you really want to gift to impress, look no further then here.
#1 Beeper Sound Tracker
A beeper sound tracker can be set by, or attached to anything letting off intermittent noise to help the blind keep track of an objects position. Costs just $36 and can be a huge life saver.
Where you can get it: braillegifts
Price: $36
Delivery Time: 2 – 10 business days depending on the option chosen.
#2 VIP Talking Thermostat
Why not set up your home to be more user friendly for the blind. With a VIP Talking Thermostat, they have control over the inside temperature. This gift is $169.00 and is easy to install right into the home’s existing system.
Where you can get it: enablemart
Price: $169
Delivery Time: 2 – 10 business days depending on the option chosen.
#3 Kapten Mobility GPS
GPS technology has been around for a while, but when compacted into a voice activated – hand held device, the visually impaired can feel comfortable leaving home without getting lost. For around $750.00, the Kapten Mobility GPS can give complete security when stepping out.
Where you can get it: enablemart
Price: $750
Delivery Time: 2 – 10 business days depending on the option chosen.
#4 MaxiAids Talking Microwave
If you are buying for a blind friend who lives on their own, consider the MaxiAids talking microwave. With a pleasant male voice, the user is guided through the setting panel from start to finish. This gift, priced at $369.75 and ships in two business days.
Where you can get it: Maxiaids
Price: $379
Delivery Time: Usually ships within 1 – 2 business days.
#5 Tactile Toaster Oven Broiler
Also consider Black and Decker’s tactile toaster oven. This kitchen must have is less than $60.00 and will ship out to you in only two business days.
Where you can get it: Maxiaids
Price: $60
Delivery Time: Usually ships within 1 – 2 business days.
#6 Victor Reader Stratus 12 M Daisy Mp3 Player
The Victor Reader Stratus 12 M Daisy MP3 player is voice activated and comes with tactile keys for easy maneuvering. Priced at $455.00, the beneficiary of this gift can hears music and books clearly.
Where you can get it: enablemart
Price: $455
Delivery Time: 2 – 10 business days depending on the option chosen.
#7 Note Teller 2
A compact device that reads currency for the blind can enable them to shop without fear of being cheated. The Note Teller 2 is $339.00, but could save your blind friend every time they are given change.
Where you can get it: enablemart
Price: $339
Delivery Time: 2 – 10 business days depending on the option chosen.
#8 RAY Smartphone for the Visually Impaired
Owning a Smartphone is all the rage, and now thanks to RAY’s innovation, your loved one can enjoy one too. Using voice and sound activated technology via it’s intuitive eye free user interface, the accessibility to all the features is endless. Priced in the range of $499 – $645 for two different models (N5 and G1), this is a gift to blind that will keep on giving them ten-fold. Hurry and order yours now to make sure you have it wrapped and ready under the tree.
Where you can get it: Project-RAY or Amazon or Ebay
Price: $499 – $645
Delivery Time: 2 – 10 business days depending on the option chosen.
P.P.P.S: This is one of a kind gift that will literally put them on high pedestal and give them wings to the whole new world of independence. So what are you waiting for ?
#9 JAWS Home Edition Computer Software
Update the home computer with specially designed software for the blind. With voice access all of the benefits of the internet can be easily accessed. This type of gift can be upwards of $1,000, but will come with everything needed to make your home computer user friendly for the visually impaired. Depending on the shipping method you choose, you could receive this gift in less than a week.
Where you can get it: Freedomscientific
Price: Upwards of $1000
Delivery Time: Depending on the shipping method you choose, you could receive this gift in less than a week.
#10 Surgery to Restore Their Vision
The ultimate gift of course would be to restore their sight. The price of a gift of this magnitude will vary depending on what is involved, but everyday there are medical miracles taking place that could allow your loved one the gift of sight.
It is the thought that counts with gift giving, but when you take special care to try and make a visually impaired person’s life easier, or just more enjoyable, that sentiment is doubly expressed.
So what are you waiting for? show them that you truly care by bestowing them the tools that would significantly enhance the quality of their life, a notch up.
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