Written by Karin Willison, Free Wheelin’ Travel, 2022
As a frequent traveler with a disability, people often ask me what kinds of gifts to buy for a loved one who wants or needs to travel. Here are a few of my recommendations — not just for wheelchair travel, but for all travelers who want to be more organized, less stressed, and have more fun on their next vacation or business trip.
If the person you’re shopping for has a service dog, check out my service dog travel guide, too!
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Wheelchair Travel Gifts Under $25
Many helpful gifts for travelers with and without disabilities are surprisingly affordable. Here are some of my favorite low-cost travel tools and gadgets.
LED Lights
Fun LED lights make a great gift for the disabled traveler on your shopping list! And they help with safety, too. Pedestrians who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices tend to be lower to the ground and may move more slowly. This puts us at higher risk of being hit by a car, especially at night. Ironically, almost no health insurance companies pay for light kits on wheelchairs — and buying them from the manufacturer is very expensive. Thankfully, with the popularity of LED lights there are now many affordable, awesome options for “pimping your ride.” I recommend buying USB lights and attaching them to a portable battery pack, or your power wheelchair’s USB port if you have one. This set can be controlled by an app or remote, and the strips are easy to stick on a wheelchair, scooter, or walker.
Check price on Amazon.
Carabiner Clips
Never underestimate the value of a simple, useful gift! Carabiner clips are one of the items I rely on most for travel and in life. I’m not talking about the ones for climbing, but these locking connectors that can be used to attach grocery bags to a wheelchair or walker, connect a dog leash, hold keys and more. I have limited hand dexterity, but can still fasten and unfasten these.
Check price on Amazon.
Travel Cup With Straw
Many people with disabilities can drink more easily with a straw. The Contigo tumbler fits into car cup holders, seals itself when you pull the straw out, and has a straw holder on the side so it doesn’t get lost.
Check price on Amazon.
Medicine Case
This medicine case has compartments for many different pills and holds far more than its size would suggest. It’s ideal for over-the-counter painkillers, antacids, anti-diarrheal and other as-needed medications you always want to have available. I love mine!
Check price on Amazon.
GoTubb Containers
GoTubbs are small containers for holding anything you need on the go, from medications to candy. Unlike many other small containers, they’re designed to be opened with one hand, so they’re easier for people with limited hand function or coordination to use.
For soaps and lotions, try GoToobs!
Check price on Amazon.
Wheelchair Travel Gifts $26 – $70
These wheelchair travel gifts will help give someone what I consider among the greatest gifts of all — the freedom to travel — without breaking the bank.
Trtl Travel Pillow
Like most people with power wheelchairs, I have a headrest, but actually trying to sleep / nap in my wheelchair is difficult without something to support the side of my head. This travel neck pillow solves the problem!
Check price on Amazon.
Eagle Creek Pack-It Folders and Cubes
As a traveler with a disability, I’ve found that staying organized is key to making sure my trips go smoothly. By far the most useful product I’ve found for packing my suitcase efficiently is packing folders and cubes. I own quite a few, but the set I most highly recommend is this starter kit from Eagle Creek. The “Specter” material is thin and slightly stretchy, which means the garment folder holds more and is easier to close than even other Eagle Creek garment folders. The cubes are useful for holding smaller items such as socks and underwear, and even a pair of shoes. You can also roll T-shirts and yoga pants and put them inside, then compress them to a much smaller size. Eagle Creek makes several varieties of folders and cubes, so explore the options to find the right set for your wheelchair travel needs!
Check price on Amazon.
Hand Warmers
I’m always cold — this seems to be common among people with cerebral palsy, and some other disabilities as well. Cold weather makes my spasticity (stiff muscles) much worse. I do most of my traveling during the warmer months, so when I was invited to speak at the Ruderman Inclusion Summit, I had to be prepared for the weather in Boston. These hand warmers are one of the best products I’ve purchased for any purpose, ever. They actually get hot to the touch, and putting them in my jacket pockets kept me warm enough that my muscles didn’t seize up like they usually do. Plus, they charge USB devices AND have a built-in flashlight, so they’re useful for emergency preparedness as well.