Mable’s accessible gift guide for 2021

This year, we’ve come up with a bumper crop of gift ideas for the loved ones in your life who live with a disability.

We hope you find the perfect gift on our list, or be inspired by some of the ideas.

In this article:

• Gadgets and gizmos
• Gifts for people with visual impairment 
• Gifts for people with hearing impairment
• Sensory gifts and comfort items
• Gifts you can send to loved ones elsewhere
• The gift of spending time together

Gadgets and gizmos

• Godonut – Godonut is a phone and tablet stand so you can use your devices hands-free. It can hold them in portrait mode or landscape mode and offers three different viewing angles, 45°, 70° and 90°. All that’s required is a flat surface and you simply insert your device into whichever groove you prefer for the viewing angle you need. Around $65, available in a range of colours.

• Motion sensor LED strip light – Light the way with ease thanks to a motion sensor LED strip light. Simply position on a skirting board, under kitchen cupboards, on the bathroom wall or wherever light is needed during the night. It’s portable too so you can take it away on holidays. It detects motion from up to two metres away and requires no wiring or electricity. You can turn it off when sensor light is not required. $12 for a 1-metre strip.

• Dual siren personal alarm – Carry this personal alarm with you and if you experience an emergency when alone, simply pull the rip cord and it will activate the loud siren. It also has a torch and can be attached to bags, clothing or mobility devices. Just $16.95.

• Quoll QR medical pendants – The Quoll medical pendant uses QR code technology to provide important health and medical information when the patient is non-verbal. Similar to a medical ID bracelet, it’s available as a medical pendant, dog tag or simply a card to carry in your wallet and is personalised with your very own QR code. You set up your medical information on the Quoll platform and it will be readable by a good Samaritan, paramedic, doctor or other person. You can update your information as often as you like. $25 plus $20 annual fee.

• Key safe – A key safe is a great way to enable access to your home if you are unable to open the door. It works on a 4-digit combination that you would provide to your medical monitoring service, support workers or loved ones. Have it mounted to the wall at your front or back door. $35.

Gifts for people with visual impairment 

• Braille books – A range of braille books can be purchased online from Booktopia.

• Talking calculator – Featuring volume control and a mute option, this talking calculator voices numeric entries and calculations in easy-to-understand speech. $40.

• Magnifying floor lamp – This magnifying floor lamp provides powerful illumination and a 2X magnifier for close-work activities. It has a flexible gooseneck for effective positioning and includes an accessories tray. $85.

• Talking kitchen scale – Make baking easy with a talking kitchen scale which announces the weight of ingredients in a clear voice and can be volume adjusted as necessary. It measures up to 5kg in 5g increments and features non-slip feet. $110.

• Braille playing cards – A pack of standard playing cards featuring braille as well as print. $20. 

Gifts for people with hearing impairment

• Hearing aid decorations for kids – Kids love to express their personality and these adorable hearing aid decorations help them do just that and take pride in their devices. Choose from cute little sharks, superheroes, movie characters, fruits, sports-themed and so much more. At just $3 per pair and handmade in Perth, they’re the perfect stocking filler.

• Doorbell and phone ring alerting system – Never miss a phone call or a knock on the door with the Oricom AM20 doorbell and phone ring alerting system which uses lights and flashes and has an extra loud ringer. $99.95.

• Art union tickets – Purchasing an art union ticket – or a book of tickets – in The Deaf Lottery Australia’s latest prize home could deliver an $800,000+ gift and supports a very worthwhile organisation. From $2.

Sensory gifts and comfort items

• Abdominal & back heat pad – For those times when you need a little heat to alleviate aches and pains or for a cosy feeling of security, this abdominal and back heat pad is adjustable and easy to use. $99.

• Ostrich pillow – Touted as the ‘ultimate immersive pillow’, the Ostrich pillow can be used to take a moment away from the busy world. It’s a comfy cocoon for naps, relaxing or travelling. $149.

• Therapy Pod – A super-sized bean bag that conforms to the user’s body shape, Therapy Pod helps to relax the nervous system and calm the mind. Made in Australia from premium sensory foam, it’s available in Solo, Duo and Family and four different colours. From $649.

• Wibbler sensory balls – This set of six colourful sensory balls helps to develop find motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They’re also wonderful to help switch on the mind and alleviate stress. $24.95.

• Sensory chew necklace – Made from BPA-free, 100% food-grade silicone, the Strike Energy sensory chew necklace can be soothing to the user in times of stress. $16.95.

• Kaiko Infinity Hand Roller – A popular anxiety reliever, the Kaiko Infinity Hand Roller is super weighted and can assist with providing a more socially acceptable stimming behaviour. Also available in other sizes and weights. $49.95.

Gifts you can send to loved ones elsewhere

Send a gift from afar or from wherever you are with these handy suggestions.

• Subscriptions – There are subscriptions for everything these days, from personal gift subscription boxes and magazines to TV streaming services such as Netflix and Stan and audio streaming, including Audible. You can also pay in advance for a gift subscription of gym membership, flower deliveries or cupcakes!

• Dinner delivered – With meal delivery services so prevalent across most of the country, you could order breakfast, lunch or dinner – or even tubs of ice cream and chocolate bars – to be delivered to a loved one at short notice. DoorDash, Deliveroo and Menulog are among the choices.

• Experiences – What does your gift recipient like to do? Based on their interests, you could choose from a wide range of experiences from Red Balloon such as hot laps in a V8 supercar, swimming with dolphins, attending circus school or paragliding. Many of these kinds of activities offer accessible options and facilities.

The gift of spending time together

Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts are those that simply involve time; time spent sitting, laughing and chatting together over a cup of tea or time spent taking someone special out for a meal or to see city or suburb Christmas lights. When you can’t be there, your loved one can connect with independent support workers with diverse skills, backgrounds and interests on the Mable website.

Click here to search for independent support workers now