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Welcome to (TAFN) The Accessible Friends Network ONLINE SHOPPING GUIDE. Featuring website reviews and an open space for the exchange recommendations, tips & experiences (both good and bad) of online shopping by blind screen reader users. Introduction by Sue Pallett. Contributed to by several TAFN members. |
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Section
1: Website Reviews, now spread out over 14 floors!
Submit your tips, recommendations & reviews
Section
2: Talking Bargains
Recommended
- The Bop It Extreme 2 handheld game.
Recommended
- NOBBY The Interactive Talking Clock (NEW!!)
SAFETY
WARNING - BREVILLE Talking Toaster & Talking Kettle set
RECALLED BY MANUFACTURER - Please read if you own one of these products.
Section
3: Useful Online Shopping Links
Recent feedback,
from visitors to this page (NEW!!)
Page Customisation options
& other TAFN Links
Other
Web Pages written by Sue Pallett
We welcome contributions from members, friends and guests, to this guide!
Although it can perhaps never be said that all online shopping websites are, or ever will be, completely accessible to those of us who use specialist speech or large character recognition screen readers to access them, upgrades to software, changing technology, and increased awareness on the part of website designers, means that browsing for products, purchasing those much sought after items, doing the weekly grocery shop or just simply indulging in a little "window shopping", is getting quicker and easier all the time. The sites reviewed in this guide, have been tried and tested by visually-impaired screen reader users. If you are new to shopping online, it may take you some time to negotiate and get to know how each web page is displayed. Being familiar with how your screenreader works and the use of helpful website access keys will be invaluable. You'll discover that shopping sites vary considerably, some having very explanatory homepages, good product descriptions, helpful customer service Departments and are relatively easy to find your way around. Sadly though there are still some that have awkward page layouts , poor product information and very difficult, time consuming check out processes. All sites reviewed here have been tried and tested, and items have been purchased from most of them! Some reviews also feature comments on customer service, courier delivery, and product returns. You may simply want to browse online, then call customer services on the 'phone to make your purchase, whichever method you choose, please enjoy cyber shopping, where you can choose and buy products independently from the comfort of your own home.
"For those new to trying online shopping as a blind person, I can’t profess that things are always going to be easy. A very great deal of time and patience may often be needed, but the satisfaction of sending off an order and the excitement while waiting for goods to arrive outweighs, for me anyway, all those hours spent on my computer beforehand." Sue Pallett.
DISCLAIMER: TAFN (The Accessible Friends Network) or individual reviewers featured in this guide do not accept liability for any problems people may have in negotiating the websites of any of the companies linked to in this guide. Neither to we accept any liability for transactions made, products purchased or customer service experienced. This guide is intended as a helpful guide written by and for blind & visually impaired people and is produced and run on a voluntary basis.
1st Floor: Online Department Stores & High Street Shops.
2nd Floor: Healthfood Stores and Herbal products.
3rd Floor: Games, Gadgets, Puzzles and Fun
4th Floor: Fine Foods.
5th Floor: Gifts and Practical Presents
6th Floor: Fragrances, Cosmetics and Skincare.
7th Floor: Everything for the Home and Garden.
8th Floor: Arts & Crafts
9th Floor: Clothing, Footwear, and Accessories.
10th Floor: Hi-fi, Music and accessories
11th Floor: Charity Shops.
12th Floor: BookShops
13th Floor: Specialist products for Blind or Visually-impaired people
14th Floor: Health and Safety
Thought your co-ordination was good? Well you wait until you get your hands on one of these very sturdily built, battery operated inter-active hand-held games.
& Now you can play head-to-head or plug in headphones as you Bop it, Twist it, Pull it, Spin it and Flick it! For 1 or more players. For ages 8 years and over. Bop It Extreme 2. Available from Argos, Catalogue Number 360/9776. Price, 19 pounds and 99 pence.
Direct Product Link: BOP IT EXTREME 2, AT ARGOS
The voice activated alarm clock with an interactive personality.
Tells the time (when you ask!).
Alarm function.
LCD clock display.
Manual setting function.
Interactive personality - responds to 6 preset questions with a variety of cheeky questions.
Supplied with an AC adaptor, or use 3 x AA batteries (not supplied).
DIRECT PRODUCT LINK: NOBBY INTERACTIVE TALKING CLOCK, AT GIZOO
The Breville Talking Toaster & Kettle have been removed from this page as a recommended product as they were re-called by the Breville Company due to a safety problem:-.
BREVILLE LAUGHTER LINES PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE -
Breville Laughter Lines Kettles JK36/JK37 (Blue/WHITE)
Breville
Laughter Lines Toasters PT26/PT27 (Blue/WHITE)
OUR QUALITY CONTROL CHECKS HAVE IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL COMPONENT FAILURE WITHIN THE ABOVE PRODUCTS WHICH COULD RENDER THEM DANGEROUS. IF YOU OWN EITHER OF THE ABOVE PRODUCTS YOU SHOULD:
* DISCONNECT FROM THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IMMEDIATELY
* CONTACT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILS OF HOW TO RETURN THE AFFECTED PRODUCT AND OBTAIN A FREE REPLACEMENT.
THE FREEPHONE CUSTOMER HELPLINE NUMBER IS:-
0800 587 2405
Click here for more information
We recently received this email from a website visitor, who found this guide useful:-
"Thanks a million you have restored my faith into the human nature world, (i have 4 cats). god bless. thanks for your help" from Mrs F.We've had many more responses via email, thanks to everyone who's contacted us!
Sue's Kitchen, a cookery guide for blind & VI people that featured on BBC in Touch, in 2005!
Also the excellent
Sue's Accessible Container Gardening Page
People from across our network would would love to hear of your online shopping experiences, both good and bad. Is there a particular site YOU recommend or would like to add to this page? Have YOU had problems with online shopping, either with screen reader navigation, or customer service? Or has a particular supplier been especially helpful to you?
If so please email us and let us know, we are happy to accredit website reviewers for their contributions.
TAFN - Shared Vision Through Friendship.
All content at www.tafn.org.uk is copyright The Accessible Friends Network 2003-2010. All rights reserved.
UK Registered Charity No. 1108043. For all anquiries please contact us via this link.
