Caroline's Cart: A Mother’s Mission for Inclusive Shopping
Drew Ann Long standing outside Walmart with her daughter, Caroline, sitting in cart.
It is 100% true that “necessity is the mother of invention.”
Drew Ann Long, mother of Caroline, created Caroline’s Cart as a way to transport older children and adults with disabilities safely while shopping. Traditional carts aren’t built to support individuals with disabilities, which can make shopping difficult for many families.
According to CarolinesCause.com, “The goal is to make it easier and pleasant for caregivers who want to include their loved ones in the shopping experience.”
The carts feature a large seat facing the cart driver, open cart handles, seatbelts for safety, a large basket for shopping and a locking brake to aid loading and unloading.
Thanks to the efforts of Long and fellow advocates, Caroline’s Cart can now be found in stores such as Target, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Wegmans, Kroger and Publix.
If you’re interested in advocating for a cart at your local store, you can fill out a Caroline’s Cart request form (PDF) and ask store managers to purchase one or two. It’s a simple way to help make everyday life more inclusive for families of all abilities.