What It’s Like to Shop Online When You’re Blind

When the folks at AudioEye asked me to share my experiences with online shopping, I thought, Where do I even start? Shopping online is something most people take for granted, but for me—and many others with disabilities—it can be a mix of frustration, fear, and, occasionally, relief when things actually work as they should.

Let me set the scene. I’m 6’5” and 300 pounds. Even after gastric surgery and lifestyle changes, finding clothes that fit me isn’t as simple as walking into any store. Walmart? Forget it—professional clothes in my size are almost non-existent there. My go-to has been DXL or their Kingsize Direct site.

The Kingsize site, while not perfect, has solid customer support. I can message them on Facebook or call if I hit a snag. That kind of service goes a long way for someone like me.

Sometimes, I’m forced to try new sites. For example, my health insurance card lets me buy certain items each month, but I can only shop on their clunky, inaccessible website or on Walmart’s site. I wasn’t excited, but I gave Walmart a try—and I was pleasantly surprised.

Other times, I shop on sites I trust. I love the Robert Graham website—it’s accessible, thanks to AudioEye—but my budget doesn’t often allow for designer clothes. When I need over-the-counter items, I’ll check Walgreens or CVS, but I usually end up back at Walmart. Amazon? That’s a whole other story. I never feel confident shopping there. I often send my top choices to friends or family for their opinions because I don’t have the time—or energy—to wade through endless options, reviews, and return policies.

And that’s really the heart of it: shopping online is exhausting.

The Invisible Barriers of Online Shopping

For people who are blind or visually impaired, online shopping can feel like navigating a minefield. Here are some of the challenges we face:

• Too Many Choices, Too Little Information: Search results on big sites like Amazon can be overwhelming. Descriptions are often vague, and key details—like whether something is accessible—are missing.
• Unclear Color Names and Size Charts: What does “ocean breeze” even mean? And size charts that don’t explain measurements are useless for people like me.
• Complex Return Processes: Returning an item is often impossible without help from friends or family. I’ve been stuck with items simply because I couldn’t get them returned in time.
• Frustrating Checkouts: Some sites use inaccessible fields or buttons. I’ve lost countless hours filling carts only to hit a dead end at checkout.

These barriers aren’t just inconvenient—they’re discouraging. And they keep me, and others, from trying new sites or making purchases.

How Businesses Can Earn My Loyalty

Here’s the thing: people with disabilities are loyal customers. We remember the businesses that make us feel welcome and confident in our purchases. It’s not just about accessibility; it’s about creating an enjoyable shopping experience for everyone.

When businesses:

• Simplify navigation;
• Provide clear and accurate information;
• Make the checkout process seamless;
• And communicate their accessibility efforts

They give customers like me confidence—and save us time and stress. And when that happens, we reward them with our loyalty.

Why Accessibility Matters

As I often tell my friends: blind people want to play, too. We want to shop, explore, and enjoy the process just like anyone else. Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. When businesses invest in accessibility, they open their doors to millions of potential customers who, like me, are eager to shop without fear.

So, the next time you think about your website, ask yourself: Am I creating an experience that makes everyone feel welcome? Because trust me, when you do, we notice—and we’ll keep coming back.