by Chelsey Zumpano
Purple Tuesday is on November 13th in the UK and is an accessible shopping day for those of us with disabilities. I think this is a great starting point and should be an on going thing! Now I’m not in the UK, but I’m in the US and I’m going to give some of my tips to make shopping accessible for us blind.
1 Treat us like everyone else and ask us if we need help when we walk in the store.
2 Say I’m looking for a sweater and you say, “It’s over there.” Yeah don’t do that! Take me to the sweaters by doing sighted guide, “my hand on your arm just above your elbow.” I can also follow you or you can tell me where the sweaters are by saying, “The sweaters are to racks to your left.”
3 If I ask what colors you have, then you describe them to me. Don’t just say, “it’s purple.” Say, “It’s dark purple with red tones.”
4 Then when I’m paying let me know where the card reader is. I can put my pin in myself, and let me know if it asks me for cash back. If the keypad doesn’t have the little dot on the five, I’ll do credit instead. Then you will direct me where to sign.
5 Please let me know what bag you put the receipt in. When handing me the bags make sure you hand me both handles.
6 When shopping online please have ALT text on your pictures and this allows you to add image desscriptions. Make sure image descriptions are extremely detailed, from the style of the outfit, to the color, if it has any graphics, lace, if the jeans have holes, or if the shirt falls off one sholder.
7 Make sure all the links are readable with a screen reader and able to be clicked on when using a screen reader.
If you have any tips leave them in the comments and if you went shopping today let me know what you got.
If you would like to be interviewed or otherwise contribute to this blog or YouTube send an email to:
VIBlindResources 
Published by