When you post a photo, please consider including a visual description of the photo as well. This will help neighbors who are blind or have low vision to share in the photo. It can also make word searches easier.

If you’re not sure exactly what to write, try just describing as you would describe something to a friend you were talking on the phone with. Thanks for helping to make this community accessible for all!

If you’re looking for more information about writing visual descriptions, check out this article - https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/how-write-alt-text-and-image-descriptions-visually-impaired

Image description - A person holds a kaleidoscope to their eye with both hands. Image credit - Luisella Planeta Leoni from Pixabay

• Let people know in your pick-up/delivery directions if your home isn’t accessible to people who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc. You might be able to create an accessible pick-up location that doesn’t involve stairs, for instance. 
• If your location is close to mass transit, a bike trail, walking trail, etc, let people know - This might make your gift more attractive to people who use transportation other than cars to pick their gifts up. 
• If you’re willing and able to offer the Gift of Delivery to others, let them know in your post or comments. This is a powerful gift that enables many people to give and receive even if they aren’t able to pick-up or deliver gifts. Not everyone is independently mobile, or feels safe picking gifts up, for a wide variety of reasons. 

• If you’re picking up or delivering a gift, prioritize your own safety, so that you feel comfortable with the situation, location, etc. Advocate for yourself and keep yourself safe.
• If you are setting out a gift for contactless pick-up, is it easy to find and clearly labeled? 
• Let your neighbors know that you’re part of Buy Nothing, and that people will be dropping by to pick up and drop off gifts. This helps protect people from suspicion and possible altercations or involvement with police. 

• Describe your Gives and Asks with enough detail that people with low vision or blindness will know what you’re offering or requesting. 
• Attach easy to find and easy to read labels to gifts when you set them out for people to pick up. 

• If you use scented laundry detergent or dryer sheets, you can put this information into any offers of clothing or bedding. Do you use a lot of scented products in your home which could linger on any items you’re giving?
• If you have cats, dogs, or other animals whose fur and dander may get on items you’re giving, you can include this information in your Gives and Asks .
• If your household involves smoke of any substance, you can include this information when you offer items from your home. 
• If you’re sharing food, you can list the ingredients.
• If you have health issues or allergies triggered by particular substances, put this into your Ask posts, so people know whether what they’d like to offer is appropriate for you. 

• Using clear language when you describe details of your Give, Ask and Gratitude posts will make your posts more understandable for people who have a different first language. 
• If you’re confused by another person’s posts or comments, ask for help understanding them.
• If someone uses a language you’re not familiar with, give Google Translate a try - it’s not perfect, but it’s usually helpful. 

• You don’t have to attach a gender description to items that you’re giving away. You can simply describe what you’re offering, for example “crib bedding with a blue and white whale print” or “pink and white bicycle with a step-thru frame” and let people choose for themselves whether they’d like to request your gift.