This holiday season, we wanted to take some time to talk about disability friendly gifting, from the gifts themselves to the creators who may have something unique and special for you or your loved ones.

We hope this blog helps encourage supporting business owners and creators who identify as disabled. As you scroll through this collection of sellers, gifts and products, at the end of the day we encourage charity and gifting that is inspiring, uplifting, and inclusive to the reciever.

(Qi Creative takes zero commission from any of the creators and sellers below. We are simply here to research, explore, and share.)

Buy From Disabled Creators

Many disabled creators have online shopfronts selling a variety of wares, and may reflect and acknowledge different disabled identities and experiences through their art, clothing, greeting cards and more.

Please note that many of these creators may not be Canadian-based businesses and can be subject to longer shipping times past Christmas Day.

“Disabled, Identity-First and Capitalized” watercolor original by Elea Chan (click image to view product on their store)

Chronic Market is an online shopping hub where you can purchase products from creators with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrone (ME/CFS)

Dissent Clothing, sold over Teepublic, sells various designs representing disabled people of colour and celebrating disabled experiences.

Jen White Johnson, known for designing the #BlackDisabledLivesMatter image, sells additional disability advocacy focused designs.

Made With Care, by Elea Chang, sells hand lettered watercolor prints and cards.

Erry B. sells apparel designed to spread awareness of Black Deaf culture.

Altered Angles, by Ariel Henley, is a shop selling watercolor art reflecting the beauty of facial differences.

a rainbow in your cloud, by Amina Mucciolo, is a vibrant website where you can browse equally vibrant stickers, apparel, and other prints.

Bibipins by Abi, a Calgarian artist and cosplayer, sells various sliding pins to depict scales of hunger, overstimulation, pain, speaking, and other conditions. Abi also sells enamel pins, stickers, jewelry, and other resin crafts. All proceeds help Abi with her medical costs.

Not every creator has their own specific website or storefront, so check out other disability-related gifts on websites like Etsy, or browse the social media of your favourite creators to see if they have their own unique merchandise for sale.

Sensory Friendly Gift Items

Some of the items below have been time-honored for use in the clinic or the classroom, but are also perfectly enjoying year-round at home.

Weighted Blankets

Weighted Blankets have skyrocketed into mainstream popularity over the past few years, as just about anyone can attain the benefits of a weighted blanket. Nowadays, one can head over to big retailers like Costco or Sears to purchase a blanket right away.

For local shoppers here in Alberta, check out the Calgary-based Hippo Hug, which makes customized weighted blankets including size, weight, and various colours and materials. Hippo Hug also has a benefits page where you can read and learn more about how weighted blankets benefit specific conditions and illnesses.

Heat, Glorious Heat

Waterbottles, fluffy sweaters, heat pads, and electric blankets are popular gifts for everyone looking to stay cozy over dark, cold winter nights.

Does it need to be heated in the microwave, or put in the freezer? Batteries or power supply? Keep these extra considerations in mind before buying.

Headphones

Tito Martin-Nemtin, a former Qi Creative guest blogger, speaks highly of using headphones as accomodations, and wrote his own article in Thinking Autism Guide.

For someone like me -- so sensitive to noise that I can actually perceive the bio-mechanical sounds of my own ears ringing aloud -- my headphones are an incredible blessing. - Tito MN

When shopping for headphones, don’t just grab the cheapest or trendiest set you can find off the shelf. Investigate brands for their noise cancelling capabilities, comfort, battery/plugin requirements, portability, and capacity for bluetooth and other interfacing.

Gifts of Service

Image description: A woman wearing clear safety googles, a breathing mask, and rubber gloves cleans a window panel in a house.

Sometimes it’s not a specific product or gadget that a disabled person could benefit from, but additional services at home or in the community. This includes:

House cleaning
Shoveling snow
Decluttering
Reorganizing
Decorating
Personal projects
Grocery shopping
Household supply restocking
Body Doubling (Hang out at your loved one’s residence while they complete various household tasks or study/work commitments, or open a Zoom call while you both quietly fulfill your tasks)

To be clear, this kind of gift is not for you to suddenly purchase and impose, for example, weekly cleaning services that they may not afford on their own once a schedule is in place. A one-time or two-time purchase of housecleaning services may suffice, or you provide the gift of your own time to help a friend with these or other tasks.

If this kind of gift is up your alley, consider ‘gifting’ it in the form of a greeting card or mock coupon package that reflects the service you are looking to give, for the recipient to redeem whenever they are ready to enjoy it.

To make it seem like less of a business deal, it can be enough to accompany your friend on a daytrip, or if you’re already on your own grocery run, phone up your friend and see if you can add on a few extra things for them while you’re there.

Just Ask

Image description: Two women sit on a bench while holding sodas in their hands.

It goes without saying—sometimes, the best way to make the best impact with your giving is to simply ask your intended recipient what they need.

If you know a friend who is struggling, or could benefit in some way with help, a gift or service that can help get to the heart of their challenges can be better than maintaining the element of surprise and giving them something they may not want or need.

We hope you enjoyed this article and happy gifting!

WOOSH!