Adaptive equipment manufacturer calls for more supermarkets to embrace inclusive trolleys

Adaptive equipment manufacturer Leckey, part of Sunrise Medical, has urged more supermarkets to invest in inclusive trolleys to support customers with special needs children.

According to research, 85% of parents with special needs children find shopping at supermarkets to be a challenging task with 75% being forced to shop online due to accessibility issues at their local store.

Currently, standard supermarket trolleys, do not provide the necessary trunk and head support that many children with additional needs require, with trolleys being designed as one-size-fits-all. Even those designed specifically for disabled people are too large, lack sufficient support and are simply unsuitable for children with weakness or altered muscle tone.

As a result, 90% of families surveyed said they would be willing to travel to an alternative store if it offered a more accessible shopping experience for their children.

To tackle the issue, Leckey has launched its Firefly’s GoTo Shop campaign which calls on retailers to provide shopping trolleys which are specifically designed for children with special needs.

These trolleys offer additional trunk and head support, a secure 5-point harness, a padded seat, and an open front for easy transfer, allowing families to complete one of life’s most basic errands while sitting safely and comfortably. It also caters to a range of sizes and adjusts for growth.

Laura Finney, Clinical Director at Leckey, said: “Completing a food shop is a staple activity for most families, yet data shows it can be a stressful, complicated experience for those with special needs children.

“Many retailers have started to take steps in the right direction, and now is the time to keep building momentum. That’s why we’ve launched the GoTo Shop campaign: we want to show supermarkets just how big of a difference they can make in their customers’ lives by making small, accessible changes with these trolleys.

“It’s about more than just a happy, positive shopping experience. It’s about dignity, independence and the chance to grow and develop by participating in day-to-day activities that they are otherwise denied.”