Caroline's Cart an adaptive shopping cart with founder and mother Drew Ann Long

Caroline's Cart an adaptive shopping cart a conversation with founder and mother Drew Ann Long led by host Carden Wyckoff

Transcript: https://rb.gy/pwqhrk

What is Caroline's Cart?

Caroline’s Cart provides caregivers a viable option to transport a special needs individual through a store while shopping, without the impossible task of having to maneuver a wheelchair and a traditional shopping cart at the same time. You may have seen one in Target, Wegmens, or Loews. It is named after Caroline, the special needs daughter of Drew Ann and David Long. Drew Ann Long saw the need for Caroline’s Cart after realizing her special needs daughter would outgrow a typical shopping cart. Caroline’s Cart has now become a reality. Retailers such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, shopping centers, and malls offering Caroline’s Cart will provide a valuable service to many families in our communities It is currently manufactured by Wanzl a Technibilt company in North Carolina, the largest shopping cart manufacture in the nation.
Drew Ann’s hope is that one day all retailers will provide an equal opportunity shopping experience for parents and caregivers of special needs individuals by furnishing them the option of a Caroline’s Cart. All familes and their special needs individual deserve this shopping option.
Go to carolinescart.com to find a map of stores that currently offer Caroline's cart and there are materials as well to help bring Caroline's Cart to your store. If you are a current store manager, we strongly recommend purchasing one to be a more inclusive store. 

Episode Highlights:

Background on Caroline's Cart and where the idea came from
Overcoming the obstacles of finding a manufacturer and the financial burden of developing a product 
The strategy behind having a conversation with managers about accessibility and inclusion
A deep dive into which companies have been on board since day one to adopt the cart vs companies that are still hesitant or put roadblocks in her way
Drew Ann's dream for a more accessible world
Rett Syndrome and the symptoms and signs of it

Resources:

Follow Caroline's Cart on Instagram and Facebook.
Follow Carden on Instagram @cardenofmilk
Find Carden everywhere 

Special thanks to my producer Jonathan Raz on Fiverr.

Episode image of Drew Ann Long pushing daughter Caroline in a Target branded