Category: Accessible Shopping

Let’s Go Shopping! An online event for small businesses

Published March 27, 2020 by L. Legendary

Greetings from the Las Vegas lockdown. Whether you are free to move about, or are staying home to stay healthy, there’s no doubt that life as we know it, at least for now, has changed. For some, it’s definitely inconvenient. For others, it’s stressful. For still others, it’s devastating. We are sailing in uncharted waters for now, with no land in sight. We don’t quite know where we are, and we have no idea what’s going to happen. It’s probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

With the passage of the two trillion dollar government rescue package comes a bit of a welcome port in the storm for some workers, but certainly not for all. Additionally, there may be a group of people who fall through the cracks, and who may not receive any rescue at all. Some of these people are contract workers, service providers, and home-based business owners.

I have not read the entirety of the rescue package, so I cannot claim to know all the particulars. There are provisions for small business owners who keep their employees on the payroll in the form of payroll relief, SBA loans, and checks for many working families. What I do not know is whether or not people who have a business that employs people only part-time, or on a contract basis, or those who are sole proprietors, micro businesses, niche or boutique businesses will see any relief. Further, not everyone is going to be willing to take out a business loan. The last time the government provided rescue or bailout money, they did not include people with disabilities, or those on any sort of government assistance, including recipients of SSI, assistance for needy families, Social Security or SSDI recipients. I have no idea as of this writing whether or not any of these groups will see financial relief. Consequently, I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands and give entrepreneurs with disabilities a boost. So, let’s go shopping!

What is it?

Let’s Go Shopping is an all-day, online shopping event that is intended to benefit two groups: Small business owners and the customers who need them. Each business owner can choose a timeslot, and a presentation length of 15, 30, or 60 minutes. During that time, you can:

Do a little show and tell – Give demos of your products.

Do a little Q and A – Answer your customers questions.

Have some chat time – Just hang out and talk shop.

Make a show of it – Give a multi-media presentation.

The bottom line: It’s your time to shine. Put a face and voice to your business, and introduce yourself and your fabulous products. Do whatever you want with the time allotted, but give customers a reason to buy.

When is it?

Saturday, April 4th. As I do not have a complete schedule yet, I do not have a start and end time to share, but I can assure you, it will likely last almost all day. If the event is a success, I’ll do it again. Also, the entire day will be recorded, so that vendors and customers alike can edit, share, or revisit any vendor presentations they missed.

Who can participate?

If you have a micro business, sole proprietorship, niche or boutique business, or if you are a crafter, candy maker, home fragrance or beauty products representative, or if you are an entrepreneur with a disability, consider being a part of this exciting event.

Need a little retail therapy?

On the flip side, millions of potential customers are stuck at home, with little or no ability to buy gifts for Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, birthdays, graduations, or just to gift a friend a lift. Not only is the “Let’s Go Shopping” event a way for home-based business owners to showcase their products, it’s a great way to make life a little easier for seniors and people with disabilities to get some shopping done. Without access to a home care worker, personal assistant, or assistive technology, online shopping can be out of reach for some. Besides, we could all use a little retail therapy, right? Maybe a senior is isolated without their children, caregiver, or personal assistant to go shopping for them. Maybe your spouse is now teleworking, and has commandeered the PC and bandwidth. Maybe someone at home is feeling alone and overwhelmed, and the idea of shopping online is cognitively burdensome right now. If they can’t go to the mall to shop, let’s bring the mall to them!

Want to participate? Here are the rules of the road:

The idea here is to make shopping as accessible and as frictionless as possible for all, so vendors will be asked to make a few accommodations. First, you must be willing to accept orders by phone, email, or means other than just your web site. You must agree to provide your business phone number or email address during your presentation. When customers call, be sensitive to their situation, be reassuring and comforting, friendly and attentive. Hopefully, the entire experience will be almost effortless for all concerned. Please provide excellent customer service!

Vendors will also be asked to assist in publicizing the event. At the very least, please tweet/post/update/blog about your timeslot. We want to help you meet the needs of potential customers, but they have to know about your availability, so please do your part to spread the word. Use the hashtag #LetsGoShopping when tweeting about the event.

Let’s Go Shopping, how? Exactly?

We will all use the Zoom conferencing platform. If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, it is an accessible video conferencing platform that can be accessed by phone, smartphone, app, or desktop. It’s free to download the app, and there is a free version you can use for your own purposes. However, I will send you all the specifics, as well as publish them here, so you will know how to call or log in. If you already know how to use Zoom, you’re golden. Just wait for an email from me.

Who is “me”?

My name is Laura, I am the owner of Elegant Insights Braille Creations. I will feature my braille jewelry and accessories products as a fill-in or backup for anyone who accepts a spot but is unable to make it. If you would like to participate, please go to Elegant Insights and use the contact form to get in touch. Or, you can call the number on the homepage, which I will also add, below.

So far, there are over a dozen small businesses from three countries eager to present their products, including technology companies, artisans, home and beauty product representatives, apparel and accessories, and of course, braille jewelry!

A complete list of vendors and their timeslots will be published next week, so check back for more details. The response has been incredible so far, and we even have door prizes donated by some of the vendors! This promises to be a fun and exciting event, so…let’s go shopping!

Elegant Insights Braille Creations
PH:702.605.1265

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Last-minute gift ideas from my 2019 guide to holiday gift guides

Published December 14, 2019 by L. Legendary

These days, online shopping is catching up to, if not surpassing, the volume of in-store shopping, to the surprise of no one. Especially for those of us who do not have easy access to transportation, or who are housebound, physically disabled, or who may otherwise feel uncomfortable about making a shopping trip via public transit. Fortunately, many businesses offer gift guides to assist online shoppers to make the best decisions about the gifts that would be perfect for their list of recipients. Below are a few for your consideration.

One of my favorite gift guides is brought to you by Access World. Author J. J. Medaugh of A T Guys {@ATGuys} curated a great list of items in several tech, gadget, and game categories. Check out the Access World gift guide here.

For the past few years, Alexandra Herold, founder of Patti and Ricky, has published a gift guide filled with thoughtful, functional, and fashionable gifts for people of all abilities. Whether you are shopping for adaptive swimwear, lingerie, shoes, or jewelry, you’ll find an incredible collection ofapparel and accessories at www.pattiandricky.com.

Emily Ladau offers a disability gift guide featuring artists and craftspeople who, in most cases, have created products specifically for people with disabilities, or who are disabled themselves. Find Emily’s disability gift guide here. While there, check out past gift guides, which are linked on the same page.

Lifestyle blogger Luke Sam Sowden has a holiday gift guide just for the guys. Luke is a prolific blogger who writes about food, fashion, fragrance, and luxury gifts from prestige brands. Follow Luke on Instagram at www.instagram.com/lukesamsowden or on Twitter at {@lukesamsowden}. This year, Luke has a gift guide for the guys.

The Fashionability Channel podcast is your guide to accessible style. Emily Davison of www.fashioneyesta.com and I co-host the podcast, where we chat about all things style and beauty, especially as it pertains to people with disabilities. You’ll find a few holiday podcasts on topics from holiday stress-relieving self-care strategies to stocking stuffers. Subscribe to The Fashionability Channel podcast today.

Finally, I created my own holiday gift guide featuring jewelry and accessories by Elegant Insights Braille Creations, which I posted on my own blog, Sparkle On. Find products organized by price that are perfect for all the friends and loved ones on your gift list. The perfect holiday touch: Gifts of braille jewelry.

Keep in mind that in most cases, this weekend is likely your final opportunity to shop at many of these retailers, because shipping slows as the burden of moving literally billions of packages overwhelms parcel delivery services. This weekend is your last chance to shop til you drop…at least, online.

I wish you a very merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, joyful winter solstice, and a happy and healthy 2020.

See you next year!

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Fashionable gifts for people of all abilities. problem solved.

Published November 26, 2019 by L. Legendary

It’s such a great feeling when you know you’ve finally found the perfect gift for that hard-to buy-for someone on your gift list. The frustrating conundrum as to what to get for the person who has everything, is often solved with a food gift basket, novelty items, or, for the gift that proves you just flat gave up, a Starbuck’s gift card. But the question, “what do you get for a friend or loved one with a disability?” can be even harder to answer, because there may be some specific needs that must be taken into consideration when selecting a gift. You may be plagued by doubt, wondering if your gift is appropriate, or even usable, given your recipient’s specific circumstances.

Finally, there’s a place to go where you can get gifts that are fashionable, functional, and in many cases, designed by people with disabilities. Patti+Ricky is a one-stop shop for stylish apparel and accessories that are inclusive of everyone. Whether you walk, tap, or roll, these clever items have universal appeal. No longer are you limited to shopping at a medical supply outlet, or settling on daily living aids or in-home care items. At www.pattiandricky.com you will find top-quality products designed by problem solvers who are living the experience for which they have created solutions.

Gifts for the guys:

These flannel shirts have hidden magnetic closures that make dressing effortless for anyone who has manual dexterity issues due to arthritis, neuropathy, or, in the case of the designer’s husband, Parkinson’s des ease. MagnaReady is a line of apparel that looks, feels, and wears like any other clothing, but without the frustrating closures that can make getting dressed a challenge.

Whether your gift recipient is ready to relax or ready for the office, MagnaReady apparel will have him dressed and ready for anything from desk to dinner. Shop magnetic shirts here.

When people think of disability, they naturally tend to think “disability” translates to “inability.” In fact, at one time or another, most of us could use a little extra support. Whether you’ve sprained your ankle, had a hip replacement, or are working through physical therapy for any number of reasons, you might find yourself, or a loved one, in need of a balance or support cane. Wouldn’t it be fun to use one that suits your style? With Lorraine’s Canes, you can not only feel confident with a trusty cane by your side, but you can look fabulous, too. These artisan crafted, hand-painted canes are just your style, because they can be made to your specifications! Love animal prints? Flowers? Unicorns? You can have a stylish support cane that also supports your style profile.

Lorraine’s Canes are even available in a paint-your-own option, which is a complete kit that the grandkids can paint, and give to Grandma or Grandpa. Now, THAT would be the hit gift of the holidays! Shop Lorraine’s Canes here.

Love a little bling? Jewelry lovers who have low or no vision can adorn themselves with jewelry that says something about what they value…literally! Elegant Insights offers a distinctive collection of jewelry and accessories that are all handcrafted, made in the USA, and embossed in crisp, readable braille! Make a stylish statement without saying a word.

Elegant Insights jewelry is beautiful, unusual, accessible, and inclusive. Shop Elegant Insights here.

Patti and Ricky is an online marketplace consisting of products created by over 70 vendors. You’ll find everything from adapted swimwear to PICC line sleeves to pretty ostomy pouches. Have a friend or loved one who is post-surgery, and could use a lift? Forget about the flowers and bring a beautiful gift that is stylish and useful for anyone, whether their circumstances are temporary or ongoing. If you need advice or want to submit a suggestion, CEO and founder Alexandra Herold has you covered. This year, give a gift that can be both beautiful as well as practical. Then, remember Patti and Ricky for birthdays, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or, best of all…just because! Shop til you drop this season with Patti and Ricky.com!

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Ingenious solutions for barrier-free fashion on the Today Show

Published May 8, 2019 by L. Legendary

Unless you are one of my regular readers, you’ve probably never heard of an online store called Patti + Ricky. I’m guessing, though, that you’ve probably heard of a national morning TV program called the Today Show. If you tune in to your local NBC affiliate on Thursday, May 9th, you will have an opportunity to watch the founder of www.pattiandricky.com make her Today Show national television debut.

While most Americans watching the Today Show are doing so while getting dressed to go to work, a task performed more or less mindlessly day after day, it is a task that may be insurmountable for some people with disabilities. Further, when it’s time to engage with the world beyond our doorstep, finding mainstream, fashionable clothing that is inclusive of everyone can be a challenge. Sweats are fine for knocking around the house, but sometimes the world expects a little more. What if an important client meeting meant dressing to impress on a day when chronic pain made fastening the buttons on your work shirt impossible? Wouldn’t it be empowering to know you could opt for a dress shirt with magnetic closures? What if you wanted to go swimming on a resort vacation, but in a typical bathing suit, using the bathroom is an ordeal? Wouldn’t it be great if there existed a swimsuit that enabled you to use the bathroom unassisted? A suit that didn’t require a complete undress, which may not be feasible for someone with a mobility disability? What if you are receiving medical treatment for an illness that requires intravenous medication via a PICC line, and would like to wear something to cover the port that’s more attractive than a plastic hospital sleeve? What if using an ostomy bag decorated with a pretty pattern or funny saying could lift your spirits, just a little? Or, what if you wanted to give a jewelry gift to a loved one with vision loss that was embossed with a sentimental message he or she could actually read?

Alexandra Connell is the founder of an online department store that offers a wide variety of gifts, clothing, and accessories for men, women, and children with and without disabilities. She will appear on the Today Show to talk about Patti, her mom, and Ricky, her cousin, who are the inspirations behind the amazing pattiandricky.com web site, which offers ingenious solutions for barrier-free fashion.

You may recall that I’ve written about this online destination previously, and I have also interviewed Alexandra on The Fashionability Channel podcast. Now, you’ll have a chance to see her share some of her products with a national audience.

One reason I think you might be interested in watching the program is because pattiandricky.com is one of the distributors of my Elegant Insights Braille Creations. Alex wore some of my jewelry on the set, and brought a couple of pieces to share during the “walk and talk” she did with the show host. Whether or not any of my products made the cut, and didn’t end up on the editing room floor, as it were, remains to be seen. However, if they take a medium shot of Alex, you’ll see one of my necklaces around her neck, and one of my cuff bracelets on her wrist. Needless to say, I’m very excited about this.

Any of you who have been following me for awhile know that I have been in business since 2011, and that I sometimes exhibit my products at ACB or NFB national conventions, state conferences, art shows, and expos. I hope you share my excitement as my braille jewelry gets national exposure. Some of the items Alex has available are exclusive to pattiandricky.com, so I’ll have a link back to her web site, with photos on the Elegant Insights home page, with a caption that reads: “As seen on the Today Show,” of course!

Whether or not my products actually see the light of day is only one aspect of the importance of the segment. People with disabilities are badly underrepresented in the fashion industry, and are all but invisible in print and digital media. This Today Show appearance is a victory for all of us, because Alex is bringing inclusive fashion to a mainstream audience. I call that must-see TV!

Don’t forget – The Today Show on NBC Thursday, May 9th. The segment will probably air the 3rd hour of the show, barring breaking news, a natural disaster, a mass shooting, or someone in our government doing something scandalous or saying something stupid. Oh – I’m sorry…was that last one superfluous?

Please share on social media and tag your friends!

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Zappos Adaptive and Runway of Dreams present a livestream inclusive fashion show

Published March 26, 2019 by L. Legendary

Every season, the fashion industry rolls out what is hoped to be the next big wave of style trends, whether in apparel, accessories, hair or makeup looks. While prestige brands seek an upscale clientele, most fashion innovations are reinterpreted for the mainstream. Unfortunately, what constitutes “the mainstream” in fashion typically leaves out people with disabilities. Finally, the fashion tide is turning in our direction.

You probably already know of the online retail fashion destination, Zappos.com, but you may not be aware that the company also has a team devoted to making apparel and accessories inclusive of everyone. Zappos Adaptive features products that make a critical part of everyday life easier – getting dressed. Throw away the old ideas about adaptive clothing, though. No longer are people with disabilities forced to settle for garments that are as fashion-forward as sweats or hospital scrubs. Now, you can find stylish clothing by brands you know. To prove it, Zappos Adaptive and Runway of Dreams have collaborated on a ground-breaking fashion show just for people with disabilities, and you’re invited.

Be part of the growing movement that brings together fashion leaders, innovators and the disability community to experience the evolution of adaptive apparel and inclusive design with Zappos Adaptive and Runway of Dreams Foundation! Together, they will host the first, live-streamed fashion show in Las Vegas featuring 30 models and influencers with disabilities to showcase sporty, casual and evening wear looks that are functional, fashionable, and make getting dressed easier. It’s a celebration! Cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres will be served.

Donations and proceeds from the event will benefit the Runway of Dreams College Club Program, which is bringing positive visibility to disability by showcasing students with disabilities modeling Zappos Adaptive products and advancing the inclusive fashion movement on campuses across the country.

The event will be hosted by actor and model RJ Mitte, best known for his role on “Breaking Bad.”

WHERE: Symphony Park at the Smith Center Las Vegas
361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106

WHEN: Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | 5:00PM – 7:30PM
Doors Open | 5:00PM
Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres| 5:00PM
Program & Runway Show | 6:00PM

HOW: Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
· General Admission ($100) includes reserved seating, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.
· VIP Tickets ($250) include VIP seating, a private bar, hors d’oeuvres, and a swag bag.

About Runway of Dreams Foundation:
Runway of Dreams™ Foundation works toward a future of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity in the fashion industry for people with disabilities. We live our mission by developing, delivering and supporting charitable programs that break down stereotypes and empower people of all abilities with confidence, independence and style through a movement of inclusion in the fashion industry.

About Zappos Adaptive:
The Zappos Adaptive mission is to provide functional and fashionable products to make life easier. We are an online shopping experience offering clothing and shoes from innovative brands with unique features that address a variety of needs.

Here’s the link to the event livestream.

I’ll be covering the event for The Fashionability Channel, so be sure to watch for pre and post event coverage.

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Don’t mind me, I’m just failing…I mean, learning

Published July 26, 2018 by L. Legendary

Hello, readers!

At the moment, I have a lot of balls in the air. I need to migrate from one shopping cart to another, change my FB page to a shopping page, integrate Instagram, create a shop on another platform,and undergo a major web site remodel. I’m using my blog site as the testing ground. That means that what you see at the moment may not last long, at least with respect to the blog look and feel.

Can, open. Worms, everywhere…

Even though it appears as though there is some sort of shop installed, I’m not selling anything. Not here, anyway. Just fooling around with plug-ins and themes and all manner of customizations. Pay me no mind. There’s nothing to see here, move along, move along.

I will continue to post blog content, but each time you come back, at least for a while, the place may look a bit different than it did the last time you stopped by. Thank you for your patience while I make a mess. Everybody learns differently, and I learn by experience, so I need to fail fast to learn fast, and the best way for me to do that is to quit researching and start doing.

More soon!

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Your holiday guide to holiday gift guides

Published December 9, 2017 by L. Legendary

Recursive as it may be,, consider this your holiday guide to holiday gift guides. At this time of year, gift guides are plentiful, as every retailer is vying for your gift-buying dollars. this guide, though, is a bit different, in that these businesses offer fantastic products that are inclusive of everyone, and in some cases, are even offered by resellers with disabilities. Some are also connected to charitable organizations, and your gifts can be a “two-fer,” as it benefits the charity as well as your gift recipient. So, please check out the list of gift guides below, and shop til you drop this holiday season!

Patti and Ricky:

This is a one-stop shop for all things fashion, apparel, and accessories for people with disabilities. Here you’ll find clever ideas disguised as hot fashion. From kids to adults, you’ll discover great gifts you won’t find anywhere else.

This is the link to Patti and Ricky

Holiday gift guide by Emily Ladau:

Emily is one of my favorite disability advocates. Each year for the past few years, she has created a holiday gift guide featuring entrepreneurs with disabilities. You can find it at:

Go here for Words I Wheel By

Love that Max:

This gift guide is specifically for teens and tweens with disabilities. You’ll find some great items sure to please any young person, with or without a disability.

This is the link for Love That Max

Gifts for the guys by Luke Sam Sowden:

Luke is a visually impaired luxury and lifestyle blogger who reviews tons of products from fabulous food to posh scented candles to bath and body products. This year, he posted a gift guide for gentlemen.

Get to Luke’s site here

Elegant Insights:

No holiday gift guide would be complete without my mention of my own enterprise, Elegant Insights. And, since this is my blog, if I can’t shill for my own business, what’s the point? Anyway, if you have struggled to find a gift for a loved one with vision loss, you’ll find great gifts of braille jewelry and accessories at Elegant Insights. Sure, tech gadgets and daily living aids are nice, but when you want a gift that’s beautiful, fashionable, personal, or romantic, you’ll find the perfect present at Elegant Insights Braille Creations. We have items from stocking-stuffers to full jewelry suites for that “wow” gift.

Find my Elegant Insights Jewelry and Accessories here!

The Fashionability Channel podcast:

While I’m at it, I may as well remind you about the podcast that I co-founded with UK fashion blogger, Emily Davison. This holiday season, Emily, our contributors and I are posting a non-stop series of style programs that will take you from desk to dinner to holiday office party to rocking in the New Year. Subscribe via itunes, Google Play, listen on Tune In Radio, or enable the AnyPod skill on your amazon Echo and tell Alexa to ask AnyPod to play the Fashionability Channel. We’re your guide to accessible style!

Please subscribe to the Fashionability Channel podcast here

Need more ideas? On December 7, I hosted my own holiday gift ideas program on my radio show, Legendary Insights, which airs on ACB Radio Mainstream. the show focused mainly on monthly subscription boxes, and I had several guests on the program who shared their experiences with their own subscriptions. Want to know whether or not a subscription box would make a great gift? Check out the show, and get the scoop on FabFitFun, GlossyBox, Play by Sephora, Love With Food, Degusta Box, and Stitch Fix.

Here is how you get to the ACB Radio Mainstream channel

Here are links to the boxes mentioned during the show:

Glossy Box
Here’s a referral link for GlossyBox

FabFitFun
Use this referral link for FabFitFun

Play by Sephora
This link gets you to the Sephora main page

Love with Food:
Get yummy Love with Food snacks by going here

Degusta:
This is the link for the Degusta Box site in the US

Stitch Fix:
Get your Stitch Fix by heading here

In addition to those mentioned during the show, listed above, here are a few more that my guest Caitlin recommended. I didn’t hyperlink these because they are not US-based sites, and for safety, I thought you might prefer to cut and paste the URL’s into your browser:

Japan Crate
Website: www.japancrate.com
Types of Crates:
PREMIUM JAPAN CRATE
$30/mo.
A care package of 15 full-size Japanese candy & snacks, collectible bonus item, a Japan-exclusive drink, and a custom manga-zine with translations, contests
and more.
FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

DOKI DOKI CRATE
$30/mo.

Bring more cuteness to your month with a crate full of kawaii goodies you can use everyday, plus plushies, exclusive wearables, household items and more.
FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE

KIRA KIRA CRATE
$29/mo.
Explore the world of Japanese beauty through 6-8 full size items from cosmetics to daily care and more.

umai
FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE
UMAI CRATE
$25/mo.
Your monthly supply of rare & delicious instant noodles from ramen to udon. Try 7-8 premium quality noodles + a collectible bonus item.

Tokyo Treat
Website: www.tokyotreat.com
Types of Crates:
Premium for $31.50
Classic: $22.50
Ships free worldwide.

Wishing you happy shopping, joyful holidays, and your heart’s desire this season. As always, thank you for your readership, your kind words, and your support and encouragement throughout the year as we persevere together.

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