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Online
Shopping and Services:
A Disability Perspective
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Online
Shopping and Services as an Adaptive
Strategy
There was a time when ordering goods
online was primarily aimed at business-to-business transactions.
Consumer goods offered online were confined to updated versions
of traditional
mail-order businesses. The idea of shopping online for purchases which
the average person
could make at a local store did not have a broad appeal. As a
result, choices for shopping online were often
limited to books, music media, luxury and gift goods, and other
"subscription club" goods and services. For those of us limited by low
income or disabilities, using online shopping and services as a means
of assistance
for
independent living was impractical, if not impossible.
Over the last few years, much of this has
changed. Many large retailers
have established websites with online ordering capablilities, and the
numbers of small online retailers have dramatically increased. As a
result of this, shopping online is rapidly becoming a workable method
for supplying
many, if not all, of the day-to-day needs of a household.
Many people now rely on online research and
comparison shopping to get the best value for their money, and on web
searches to find goods not available in their locale. They rely on
online ordering and home delivery as a convenience, to help them manage
their time,
and to reduce their transportation costs.
But for persons living with
disabilities, the benefits of using online shopping and services
can go far
beyond
this. Online shopping and services can be used as a powerful tool for
assistance, and an adaptive strategy. If you are disabled, shopping
online can:
- Reduce wear on your mobility equipment.
- Enable you to manage your own
affairs and run your
own
household.
- Enable you to shop unassisted.
- Free up time for caregivers and helpers
to assist with
other needs.
- Enable you to save time and conserve
physical energy to be
used for other tasks and pursuits.
UP
Online
Shopping and Services: Too Costly?
When comparing
traditional
shopping and online shopping and services, many people overlook the
hidden costs of traditional shopping - including both financial
costs and personal costs. A realistic comparison of the costs of using
online shopping and services vs. traditional shopping and errands can
only be obtained by including these hidden expenses.
Questions to ask
yourself about
traditional shopping and errands:
- What do I spend each month on
transportation costs
directly related to shopping and errands?
- Am I making multiple trips
because I cannot
transport large quantities?
- How often this month have I gone
without something
because I was waiting for shopping help or transportation?
- Am I getting the best price for
what I am buying?
- How much caregiver time and
assistance am I using
on shopping trips and errands?
- How do I feel (physically and
emotionally) when I
return from shopping and
errands?
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Overcoming
Common Barriers to Using
Online Shopping and
Services
- Security Concerns
- Privacy Concerns
- Quality Concerns
- No Credit Cards
- No Checking Account
- Prohibitive Shipping Fees
- Computer Accessibility Barriers
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Best
Types of Goods and Services to Look for
Online
- Bulk Quantities
- "Staples"
- Familiar Brand Name Goods
- Wholesale Purchasing
- Refurbished and Reconditioned
- Auction Goods
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How
to Optimize Your Online Shopping
- Become your own "Purchasing
Agent"
- "Power-Shopping" Lists
- Research Before You Buy
- Know the Product Code
- "Wish Lists" and "Frequent Purchase
Lists"
- Notification of Sales and Bargains
- Bookmarking
- Free Shipping
- Autoship Programs
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A few examples of major brands and retailers
available online
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