The festive season is a time for joy, connection, and celebration. But for blind and visually impaired people, Christmas can also come with challenges that sighted people might not notice—such as navigating busy Christmas markets, reading Christmas cards, or unwrapping gifts designed without accessibility in mind. With a little thought and planning, we can achieve making Christmas accessible, more inclusive and joyful experience for everyone.
How To Make Christmas Accessible For Visually Impaired People
How to Make Christmas Accessible
Decorating Inclusively
Christmas decorations are often visual, but they don’t have to be limited to lights and ornaments. Instead, consider adding tactile elements—like scented pine cones, textured garlands, or ornaments with raised patterns. These can bring the festive spirit to life through touch and smell.
Accessible Entertainment
Whether it’s a Christmas film or a carol concert, it’s important to think about accessibility. In fact, things like audio-described movies, Braille or large-print lyrics, and tactile concert programmes can make a big difference. To find out more about audio description and how to turn it on, go to How to Turn on Audio Description.
Inclusive Gatherings
When hosting Christmas meals or parties, make sure the space is easy to navigate. To do this, you can ensure there are clear walkways, uncluttered tables, and verbal cues (“your drink is just to your right”), which will create a more comfortable experience. It is also a good idea to provide a box or bag for opened gifts at gatherings so someone can keep their new treasures together.
Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure everyone knows what food and drinks there are available on the table. Imagine your favourite Christmas food is Pigs in Blankets for example, but you don’t realise there are any. You would miss out. So, make sure everyone is aware of what options there are to choose from.
Cards and Communication
Sending Christmas cards? Consider accessible formats such as braille cards, large-print messages, or even audio greetings. This small touch makes a big impact. You could also consider a specific shape of gift tag for someone who may not be able to read them so that they can identify their own.
Gifting with Thought
Presents are at the heart of Christmas traditions, but many popular gifts rely heavily on visuals. Choosing accessible gifts shows care and consideration. Every blind and visually impaired person will have a story of the time they received a book they could not read or an inaccessible piece of tech they couldn’t use. Therefore, choosing the right gift is an essential part of making Christmas accessible.
Help with travel
Public transport around Christmas can be difficult, with delays, cancelations, or fewer services running. Therefore, offering lifts to people who can’t drive could make the difference between someone attending a Christmas party or not at all.
Five Gift Ideas for Visually Impaired People To Make Christmas Accessible
Smart Speakers
Devices like Amazon Echo or Google Nest are fantastic gifts, allowing users to play music, set reminders, control smart home devices, and access information hands-free.
You can find out how to set it up on our guide: Setting Up Alexa.
Tactile Games and Puzzles
Braille playing cards, tactile board games, or large-print puzzles allow families to enjoy games together without barriers.
Some examples of these are: large print or braille playing cards, braille Uno cards, braille or large print Scrabble, and Connect 4.
You can get some of these on the RNIB Store.
Audio Book Subscriptions
Services like Audible or RNIB’s Talking Books provide access to thousands of titles, and are perfect for anyone who loves stories.
Find out more about Audible, and RNIB Talking Boobs.
You can also get a Calibre subscription for £3 a month.
Scented, Tasty, or Textured Gifts
Candles, diffusers, or blankets with unique textures offer rich sensory experiences that don’t depend on vision.
Shops like John Lewis, Dunelm, Garden Centres, and Amazon have large selection sof scented products.
Different flavours of foods and drinks are really good as well, as these engage a different sense as well. Bird and Blend have every flavour of tea you can think of, and is worth a visit.
Accessible Tech Accessories
Items like, talking kitchen scales, talking air fryers and microwaves are also really useful, like the ones from Cobolt.
Other accessories like braille watches or tactile phone cases blend practicality with independence.
The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are another great accessory. They have a built in camera and use voice commands for easy hands free access to the AI, and a deeper understanding of your surroundings from the camera and the AI description. We have put together some great articles, reviews, and tips and tricks for the Meta Glasses you can check out.
Final Thoughts on Making Christmas Accessible
Christmas is about togetherness, and accessibility should be part of that spirit. By making small adjustments—whether in the way we decorate, host, or give gifts, we can ensure blind and visually impaired people are not just included but fully embraced in the joy of the season. After all, the best Christmases are the ones where everyone feels welcome.
