It’s the most wonderful time of the year: gift-giving season! We’ve put together a treasure trove of gifts from all over the country — from delicious treats to clothing to fine art. And best of all, each of these products is either made by people with disabilities or benefits organizations that support people with disabilities. Skip the megastores and support these creators who give back to their communities, and have a blast in the process! (Note that none of these are affiliate links — we just want to spread the word about these artisans and spread the holiday cheer!)
Soap bars in a variety of scents, $8 each
Blissful Seeds was founded by Rita Salibah Nasrallah with the goal of providing meaningful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for adults with autism and other disabilities. As a mother of a child with autism, Rita wanted to create an inclusive environment for like-minded individuals to feel successful and find community. By purchasing products from Blissful Seeds, you are supporting the employment and job skill development of their artisans. Check out their soap bars or one of their bamboo trays for a handmade gift, all made with natural and organic materials.
Da Bombs offers more than a dozen scented large bath bombs, including this black raspberry one, for $8 each
If you or someone you love is in need of relaxation this holiday season, Da Bombs is the perfect shop for you. Company founder Morgan Tibbens is a young entrepreneur with Down syndrome who makes bath bombs, soaps, bath salts, foot scrubs, and shower steamers in a variety of creative scents. Someday, she hopes to open her own brick-and-mortar shop to employ other people with disabilities. In the meantime, you can support her dream by buying a few products for your own at-home spa day.
Easy on the Eyes Brush Collection, $50
GUIDE Beauty is led by Founder Terri Bryant and Chief Creative Officer Selma Blair, and describes its work as “redefining the beauty industry with award-winning, uniquely designed, and simply beautiful products that bring joy to a broad universe of makeup users.” When celebrity makeup artist Terri Bryant started to lose dexterity in her hands due to Parkinson’s, she set out to create makeup tools and products that encouraged broader inclusion. With the help of their design team and ergonomic experts, GUIDE Beauty created beauty tools that are easier to use and that guide the user’s hands. Their variety of brushes and makeup products will make great gifts for the people you love.
Beauty Sleep Calming Bath Brick, $16.95
Hotsy Totsy, founded by humanitarian, bath-obsessed, Deaf, single mom Christi Leonardi, creates handmade self-care products. Christi Leonardi offers high-quality, locally sourced bath bombs, scrubs, and body butters. Treat your loved ones with one of Hotsy Totsy’s deliciously scented products!
Handcrafted soy wax Peace candles come in three different scent options, $15 each
Purple Rose Wellness is a Black-owned, family business started by couple Wendy and Trevon. Wendy, a Deaf maker who communicates in both ASL and spoken English, founded the company after noticing how little information about self-care was accessible in ASL. Now, she and her husband make handmade beauty products and share wellness information in ASL on social media. You can find candles, scrubs, beard care products, and body butters in their online shop.
Dark Chocolate Almond Toffee Favor Bag, $2.50 each
Founder Joanna Jaeger says she started Big Al’s Best because she wanted “to create an opportunity for her son, Alex, to have meaningful work and activities to fill his adult life. Alex is a young man with autism who makes delicious toffee and creates greeting cards and artwork that feature his beautiful calligraphy.” Big Al’s Best has focused on building community by partnering with local shops to share their products. Send some toffee or a handmade greeting card to your friends and family this holiday season!
Give the coffee lover in your life a monthly subscription of varying blends with the Coffee Club, $50.
Amy and Ben Wright have four children. Their daughter Lillie has autism and Bitty and Beau have Down syndrome. The Wrights believe that Bitty & Beau’s Coffee creates a place for people with disabilities to be accepted as part of the community. Their original coffee company was founded in January 2016 and employed 19 people with disabilities. Now, the franchise is located in 12 states with 23 locations and 400 employees. Coffee-related goodies, dog accessories, and “radically inclusive” clothing are available to purchase online.
The Happy Holidays Gift Box includes a dozen cookies, decorative ornaments, and a story card from Collettey, $40
Collettey’s Cookies is the brainchild of Collette Divitto, an entrepreneur and baker with Down syndrome. The company employs people with disabilities, and Colette was recently featured for her work on the docuseries Born For Business on Peacock. Her online shop offers cookies for humans (and dogs!) as well as other merchandise like books and apparel.
Hot sauces, jams, syrups, and drink mixes from Common Roots make great stocking stuffers ($8-$22)
Common Roots Farm is a four-acre urban farm in Santa Cruz with a mission. They provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to learn job skills, form bonds with one another through social events, and take part in paid farming internships. Their facilities are largely wheelchair-, walker-, and scooter-accessible, making it possible for more people to participate in their programs. You can support Common Roots by buying tasty jams, syrups, and other condiments made from their fruits and vegetables.
The tea lover in your life will enjoy this Holiday Tea Box that includes Gabi’s tea, honey, an infuser, and a tumbler for $40.
Gabi is an entrepreneur with Down syndrome based in Raleigh, NC. Her store, Gabi's Grounds, sells bags and K-cups of dark or medium roast coffees, teas, heart-shaped tea strainers, mugs, and much more. Gabi's Grounds “promotes equal access to people with disabilities in their workplace.” She has created her own special blend of organic Guatemalan and Sumatran coffee, and your order will include a handwritten thank-you note from Gabi!
The Glory Days planner ($42) is designed for parents of kids with disabilities.
The founder of The Glory Days Co. is familiar with the joys and challenges that come with raising a child with disabilities. Inspired by her experiences with daughter Aurora, who was born with Down syndrome in 2017, Amanda Cunningham started a company to make planners and notebooks for parents like her. You can choose from products such as a planner with therapy tracking pages, a planner with behavior tracking pages, an appointment book, or a medication tracking journal to make your caregiving journey a little smoother.
Round, Hand-Stamped Stoneware Pinch Bowl, $6.99 each
Little Red Hen is a non-profit organization that provides employment for individuals with developmental disabilities. Their retail and horticulture departments employ 175 adults with developmental disabilities — and 100% of the sales and donations made with Little Red Hen directly support programming for children and adults with developmental disabilities and help pay their employees’ wages. Check out Little Red Hen’s variety of household items, including kitchen, beauty, and garden supplies. They even have a Vintage Shop on Etsy!
Artisans handcraft this beautiful maple, walnut, and cherry wood Butter Knife and Small Cutting Board Gift Set, $40
Seeds For Autism is a program in Phoenix, Arizona, helping young adults with autism create a path from “learning to earning” via education, vocational training, and social development. Their online store includes items handcrafted by students in their workshop who are learning artisanal skills. Their work also includes items like metal-crafted jewelry, gardening supplies, soaps, and wine bottle stoppers.
Culinary Table Salt 3oz Bottle, $12
Shemesh Farms in Malibu, California, was created to provide meaningful employment and community to individuals with diverse abilities. Their farm fellows, along with volunteers and staff, harvest and create spice blends, honey, and other organic products for individual orders or larger group purchases. Sales of their products contribute to the continuation of their programming and the wages of their farm fellows.
The Ability Candle, $30
ScentsAbility Candles, a branch of the IDDeal Foundation, works to provide meaningful employment and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By focusing on the abilities of their employees, ScentsAbility is able to provide adapted candle manufacturing job opportunities as well as a welcoming community. 100% of the proceeds go toward supporting their employees and the foundation’s initiatives. Check out their candles; each highlights one of their artisans and is named after one of ScentsAbility’s core values.
Framed artwork, like these lovely cardinals, ranges from $18–$45.
When Allie Art founder Allie Guard was going through the IEP process in elementary school, she always listed being an artist as one of her life goals. Now, that dream has become a reality. A young woman with Down syndrome from Cincinnati, Allie started a company to sell her work with some help from her mother. In her framed artwork and jewelry, Allie loves experimenting with bright colors and sparkles. Whether you choose a piece to wear or a piece to hang in your home, Allie’s artwork is sure to make a statement.
Peacock Dreams Art Print, $32.35
Artist Ruth Harrigan, whose disability causes paralysis in her limbs, uses a headtracker to create art in a variety of mediums, textures, and brushes. In 2019, she received a headtracker that allowed her to create precise movements on her computer, which she uses now to make her art. Check out Ruth’s gallery to shop her many collections!
Constellation of Color Tree, $28
Kayla Snover is an artist with Down syndrome who loves experimenting with color in her work. She exhibits her art at Gateway Arts, a studio art center in Brookline, Massachusetts, that features artists with disabilities. You can buy her artwork through the Gateway Arts website or through her Etsy shop. The tree sculptures Kayla crafts out of watercolor, wood, and Tyvek would make lovely centerpieces for any holiday table.
Natividad Arroyo blends acrylic, sand, and pebbles on canvas for Staring At The Sea, 16'' x 20'', $250
Momentum Creative “supports a vigorous community of working artists with a variety of developmental challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome, whose perspective is vital within the contemporary art world.” Their online gallery showcases the work of a vibrant group of artists in varying formats, from marker on paper to digital media to acrylic on canvas. Buying from their collection helps fund their ongoing work. Fun fact: The Undivided offices proudly host a collection of work by these skilled artists.
Commemorate a significant moment from your life with a customized print of the solar system ($49–$86)
SpaceTime Coordinates was created in 2014 by govy, a French artist with autism who is fascinated by outer space. She successfully Kickstarted the SpaceTime Coordinates project in 2015 and then founded a company with Canadian developer Martin Vézina in 2017. Together, they use data from NASA to create customized artwork, pillows, jewelry, and clothing showcasing the positions of planets during important moments in customers’ lives. Choose an event that matters to you — a birth, a wedding, or a graduation — and order a totally unique piece that illustrates the way the solar system looked on that day.
Year of the Tiger: An Activists Life, $17
This national bestseller, written by disability activist and founder of the Disability Visibility Project Alice Wong, dives into Wong’s fight for disability justice and journey in cultivating community. “Drawing on a collection of original essays, previously published work, conversations, graphics, photos, commissioned art by disabled and Asian American artists, and more, Alice uses her unique talent to share an impressionistic scrapbook of her life as an Asian American disabled activist, community organizer, media maker, and dreamer.” Year of the Tiger is available as a paperback, ebook, or audiobook.
Gracie’s Doggie Delights Christmas Sampler Pack offers an array of festive snacks for your pooch, $27.99
Gracie’s Doggie Delights is run by a woman with Down syndrome. The business was inspired by her love of dogs, and giving them treats is one of her favorite things to do. Doggie Delights are only made with freeze-dried, USDA-inspected meat. Freeze-dried meat maintains flavor and nutrition. The treats have a shelf life of six to eight months. Choose from varieties like Beef Liver, Chicken Breast, and Flavor Booster Pet Food Toppers.
Does your dog prefer chicken, bacon, or peanut butter? Find out by purchasing the variety pack, $24.99
ECHO Barkery’s dog treats are handmade by people with disabilities. The ingredients are all natural, and everything from mixing the ingredients to rolling the dough, cutting it into shapes, and packaging the treats is done with care. The biscuits come in different flavors: bacon, chicken, and peanut butter, or you can buy all three in a variety pack. Spend over $25 to receive free shipping. ECHO Barkery empowers people with disabilities through meaningful employment. Employees have the opportunity to develop skill sets and be part of a community. The bakery functions through ECHO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adults with disabilities throughout their life.
Acrylic Bar Earrings, available in five colors, $38
Aspire Accessories, a program within HUB Houston, is a work transition program for individuals with autism and others with similar support needs. Aspire employs high school post-graduates to provide employment opportunities within Aspire’s artist collective. Aspire’s employees participate in training and classes to increase their confidence in the working community. Purchasing any of Aspire’s products helps fund their programming and contributes to their employee’s wages.
The fabric in this gorgeous Babylon Infinity Scarf is hand-woven by Coletta’s artisans, $79
Coletta Collections is run by St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., that provides work opportunities for artisans with disabilities like those featured here. The artisans are involved in designing, manufacturing, packing, and shipping their products. Along with housewares, their online store hosts a stunning collection of jewelry, bags, scarves, tableware, and garden accessories. Rebecca Hill, Chief Development Officer at St. Coletta, told us, “When you purchase a holiday gift from Coletta Collections, you are giving twice – once to the gift recipient and once to the artisan by supporting their work.”
This pencil case ($14) is a collaboration between Dance Happy Designs and The Lucky Few Foundation.
Dancy Happy Designs is a textile company founded by three friends: Liv, Julia, and Emily. They met in 2012 when Liv and Julia, an artist with Down syndrome, came to work in Emily’s shop as part of the Community Integrated Services employment program. After the program ended, they wanted to keep working together, so they started printmaking and sewing their own products in a studio outside Philadelphia. This holiday season, help your friends and family stay organized by gifting them Dance Happy’s “Everyone Belongs” pencil case. Twenty-one percent of the sales from this cotton bag go to The Lucky Few Foundation, a nonprofit focused on Down syndrome advocacy.
Full Hand Set of Pins, $100
“Committed to innovation, collaboration, training, and activism, Deaf West is the artistic bridge between the Deaf and hearing worlds.” Deaf West Theatre was founded in Los Angeles to bring experiences inspired by Deaf culture to their audiences by bringing ASL and spoken English together. Deaf West partnered with artists Christine Sun Kim and Ravi Vasavan from Deaf Power to create limited-edition enamel pins, contributing to their campaign that focuses on increasing training and employment opportunities for the Deaf community. Purchasing this pin set helps support the continuation of Deaf West’s work.
T-shirts are available in men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizes ($17–$42)
Ever since she was in middle school, Girls Chronically Rock founder Keisha Greaves knew she wanted to be a fashion designer. Being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 24 didn’t stop her — she got a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising and then went on to get a master’s degree in business management even as she experienced symptoms. Now, she makes clothing for men, women, and children celebrating muscular dystrophy and other chronic illnesses. Some clothing items raise money for disability rights organizations, including a unisex T-shirt line benefitting Partners for Youth with Disabilities.
Keep the toesies artfully cozy with the Art Aficionado Gift Box, $49.99
John Lee Cronin, who has Down syndrome, is the inspiration half of the father-son duo who founded John’s Crazy Socks. “I wore crazy socks my entire life,” John says. “They’re fun, colorful, and creative. They let me be me.” John’s Crazy Socks sells a wide variety of funky men’s, women’s, and children’s socks — including, of course, crazy holiday socks. Each order is sent with candy and a handwritten thank-you note from John. Spreading happiness and demonstrating what is possible is Cronin's mission. The staff of John’s Crazy Socks is made up of 35 people, 15 of whom have disabilities. Socks supporting awareness for Down syndrome and autism are offered as well as socks to benefit front-line health care workers and animal rescue. The company donates 10% of all awareness socks to various applicable charities, and 5% of the proceeds are donated to the Special Olympics.
King of Arts Unisex Zip-Up Hoodie by AJ Redmond, $45
Raise awareness and help create a community of inclusivity by purchasing an artful accessory or piece of clothing! People Love Art says their mission is “to provide a platform for expression and a means of income for people with disabilities. Our high-quality apparel empowers artists to have their voice heard, and empowers a community of allies to show love by representing their brand.” Artists receive 50% of every purchase, and 10% of the profit is donated to a cause chosen by the artist.
Children can learn their name in two languages with this personalized Bilingual Trace Board, $25
Board & Measure is a Deaf and CODA-owned shop based in Michigan featuring handmade wooden products with ASL themes, including the wonderful “Welcome Sign” in varying colors and “ASL Hands” in the letters of your choice to adorn your wall. See the rest of their store here, which includes ornaments, keychains, decor, and much more.
Dolls start at $30, and accessories range from $3.50–$35
As a nurse in the pediatric oncology ward, Butterfly Pig founder Mary Jenner used to make stuffies with IVs and medical accessories so that her young patients could see themselves in their toys. Since then, she’s launched a toy company that sells diverse dolls as well as clothing and medical accessories. Choose from canes, crutches, braces, cochlear implants, hearing implants, and more to customize your gift and help a child you love feel seen.
Fighting for Yes!, $19.99
This picture book biography celebrates the life and achievements of disability rights activist Judith Heumann. After hearing “No” consistently throughout her life, Judy decided that she wanted to fight for the rights of people with disabilities everywhere. In the 1970s, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act was waiting to be signed. Judy and other activists fought for it to be passed, laying the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn more about Judy’s life and activism in Fighting For Yes!, with a reflection from Judy herself included at the end.
Imperfect Inspiration makes customizable planners designed to help people with ADHD stay organized.
Imperfect Inspiration founder and mom of five Brit Brown wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until she was 34. Now, she designs products — including planners, workbooks, and goal charts — with neurodivergent kids and creatives in mind. You can get the discbound ADHD planner starter kit for $55 or explore all the customization add-on options to create the perfect planner for a kid in your life.
This T-Rex Art Print showcases artwork by Inside Out artist Kris Lee and is the perfect gift for the dino lover in your life, $15.
L.A. Goal is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that works toward opportunity and equity for adults with developmental disabilities. Inside Out Productions is their social enterprise and professional art studio that employs their members as artists to develop and sell their artwork. Inside Out Productions sponsors art exhibitions through their Etsy store, which includes original works of art, greeting cards, apparel, and this Disabled Fables storybook with retellings of Aesop’s Fables. On December 4–5, 2022, in Culver City, CA, Inside Out will host an in-person Holiday Boutique where you can purchase original artwork, apparel, home goods, gift items, and more.
A child who loves to chew will be captivated by this Baby Jack Blankets Baby’s Lovey, $29.99
Little For Now, an online retailer that donates yearly to Down syndrome or autism charities, is owned by the parent of three kids with disabilities. Not only do they offer a wide range of eco-friendly products to get parents started in cloth diapering, but they also offer guides on how to do it. Something special about this site: the company devotes a section to products for kids with disabilities and developmental delays, including this cool Nook Lilypad Playmat that is a great surface for tummy time and a Happy Mat for easy and fun feeding time.
Big Wheel Little Wheel is a pushcar toy redesigned as a wheelchair, $45
Toymaker Amy Lockwood is a disabled woman and mom to a son with disabilities. She took up woodworking as a hobby when COVID-19 hit in 2020, and her pastime quickly turned into a business venture. Now, she makes sustainably sourced, handcrafted wooden toys with inclusivity in mind. A portion of every sale is donated to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto to support children with disabilities, so you can shop and do good at the same time.
Get the hardcover book, a coloring book, and a custom rainbow crayon set in a bundle for $55
Author and public speaker Megan DeJarnett was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disorder, when she was two years old. She founded No Such Thing Co. to help educate others about disability rights and advocate for people with disabilities. Both her inclusive coloring book ($17.99) and her children’s book No Such Thing As Normal ($24.99) are made to empower kids by celebrating our differences.
Pip The Guide Dog is the newest in a line of plush guide dogs and features tactile braille on her ear inscribed with her name, $32.
Two Blind Brothers is the work of brothers Bryan and Bradford Manning from New York City. They are both legally blind and donate 100% of their profits to charitable foundations like the Foundation Fighting Blindness. They also work closely with other organizations supporting the blind community, including Industries of the Blind, which helps to make some of their products. Along with their adorable line of plush guide dogs, they offer soft and comfortable clothing and accessories that can be found in their online store.
Membership starting at $8.25 per month
Last but certainly not least, give yourself the gift of Undivided membership! Undivided offers the gift of time, expertise, and life-changing support for families raising kids with disabilities and developmental delays. Undivided was founded by parents raising kids with disabilities who wanted to make it easier for families to navigate complex care systems in California. We provide an innovative digital binder to organize and share your child’s medical and school paperwork, 1:1 parent coaching, and access to experts in public benefits, insurance, and special education so that you can make the most of all the resources available to your family. From all of us to all of you: You’re worth it! Don’t rewrite the map — write the plan. Reach out to our Care Crew and make 2023 the year you have the time and support you need to thrive.
