Summary: I, Donna J. Jodhan, am thrilled to announce the official launch of Access Park (https://accesspark.shop), a new, fully accessible, global online marketplace that will connect assistive technology buyers and sellers around the world. This passion project of mine has been built with a deep understanding of the barriers that many individuals with disabilities face when shopping online. My mission is to create a fair, inclusive, and easily accessible platform where members of the access community can find the products they need without frustration or limitation.
The Story Behind Access Park
As a long-time advocate for accessibility, I’ve encountered countless barriers when navigating digital spaces, especially when it comes to online shopping. Like many in the access community, I’ve often struggled with the inaccessibility of both mainstream and even some access-specific e-commerce websites. After years of facing these challenges, I knew something had to change.
In my work with various communities and organizations, I’ve always heard one phrase repeated: “There has to be a better way.” That sentiment echoed in my mind for years, particularly when I found myself relying on others to help me make purchases online. The frustration I experienced each time was a constant reminder that we needed a solution that was designed for us and by us.
Access Park is the result of that frustration turned into determination. I wanted to create a solution not only for myself but for everyone in the access community — blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, neurodivergent, or any individual living with a disability — so that we can all enjoy a seamless, independent, and accessible shopping experience.
Why I Decided to Build Access Park
For years, I relied on my trusted friend and digital marketing advisor, Aaron Di Blasi, to help me navigate inaccessible online stores, even those designed for assistive technology users. As we worked together, I frequently shared my wish for a more inclusive shopping platform that catered specifically to the access community. After numerous conversations, brainstorming sessions, and planning meetings, we developed the idea for Access Park — a space where every product is curated with accessibility in mind, and every transaction is made as simple as possible for both buyers and sellers.
Introducing Access Park
Access Park is not just an online store; it’s a community-driven, fully accessible global marketplace. Powered by the latest in web accessibility standards, Access Park complies with ADA, WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 guidelines, to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can use the site with ease.
Our mission is clear: to connect sellers of assistive technologies and other accessibility-related products with a dedicated, engaged audience that truly needs and values their offerings. Every product listed on Access Park will be personally curated by me, Donna J. Jodhan, to ensure that it serves a genuine need within the community, and meets the highest standards of both quality and accessibility.
How Access Park Solves the Problem
For too long, sellers of assistive technology and other products for persons with disabilities have struggled to reach their target audience through platforms that are not fully accessible or don’t prioritize the unique needs of the access community. Likewise, buyers have faced barriers that make finding and purchasing these vital products more difficult than it should be.
Access Park changes all of this. As a marketplace built specifically for the access community, it provides a centralized hub where buyers can trust that the products they are browsing have been thoughtfully selected for their specific needs, and sellers can connect directly with a loyal and under-served audience.
A Fair and Accessible Business Model
At Access Park, we are committed to providing sellers with a fair, transparent, and accessible platform, without requiring them to pay any upfront costs or navigate any complicated listing processes.
Here’s how it works:
- Sellers handle fulfillment and shipping, while we manage everything else, from listing the products to capturing sales and promoting them within the access community.
- We negotiate a commission on each sale, covering all of the operational costs, so that sellers can focus on creating great products without worrying about managing an online storefront.
- As a sponsor of Top Tech Tidbits, we will ensure that products listed on Access Park are promoted to tens of thousands of buyers each week through targeted channels within the access community.
Our Commitment to an Accessible Shopping Experience
Access Park is more than a marketplace — it’s a reflection of my lifelong commitment to accessibility. Every aspect of the site has been designed with accessibility as a priority.
We’ve implemented:
- Full screen reader compatibility including JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver.
- Native keyboard navigation throughout the site.
- Dedicated, site-wide Accessibility Menu (CTRL+U).
- A simple, minimalistic design that makes product pages easy to navigate without clutter or distractions.
- High-contrast visuals and full captioning for all video content, ensuring accessibility for all users, including those with visual or auditory impairments.
With Access Park, my goal is to remove as many barriers as possible, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can sell and shop both independently, and confidently.
Empowering Buyers and Sellers in the Access Community
Ultimately, Access Park is about empowerment. It’s about giving buyers the independence they deserve and sellers the opportunity to reach a market that truly values their products. Whether you’re an individual looking for assistive technology, or a seller hoping to reach a dedicated audience, I invite you to join me in making Access Park the go-to marketplace for accessible products.
Join the Movement
I would like to invite suppliers, sellers, and creators who are passionate about accessibility to become a part of Access Park. Together, we can build a vibrant marketplace that serves the needs of the access community and makes a lasting difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
If you’re eager to explore Access Park and shop for products that have been carefully selected for their accessibility, we ask for your patience as we grow our supplier network and prepare for our first round of listings.
For more information, or if you’re interested in becoming a seller, you can reach me at donna@donnajodhan.com 📧️ or Aaron Di Blasi at: ad@mvsltd.com 📧️.
Access Park. Where inclusivity is always in stock. (TM)
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