Alabamian’s revolutionary shopping cart for special needs children goes nationwide

An Alabama mom has invented a new shopping cart that will change the lives of families with special needs children.

Drew Ann Long, from Alabaster, created “Caroline’s Cart,” a shopping cart built specifically for children with special needs. This year the cart will be available in Target stores nationwide. Target has been testing the cart in select stores for the past year, but will make them available in their stores across the US in March.

“I think Target doing this is really going to raise the bar,” Long told al.com. “This decision validates the need. If you’re going to provide for the able-bodied, why would you not provide for the disabled-bodied, when you have an option?”

Target is the largest chain to take Caroline’s Cart nationwide, but the carts can already be found in every state in stores like Publix, Kroger, and more. The carts have even found their way into other countries, like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway.

The story of Caroline’s Cart started eight years ago. It is named for and inspired by Long’s daughter Caroline, who has Rett syndrome, a nervous system disorder that causes multiple disabilities. Long designed the cart because it was difficult for her to maneuver a regular shopping cart and her daughter’s wheelchair down grocery store isles. Caroline’s Cart has a special seat for her daughter as well as plenty of room for groceries. Long’s original design for the cart was sketched on a napkin.

Long used a grassroots campaign for years to gain support and spread the word about Caroline’s Cart. It became incredibly popular among parents with special needs children and organizations that advocate for people with disabilities. She has had thousands of supporters use social media to promote the cart around the world.

Three years ago, Long hit a major breakthrough when North Carolina-based Technibilt Ltd. began manufacturing Caroline’s Cart. They also customize the carts’ color for each store where they can be found.

The cart’s seat and harness can hold up to 250 pounds, so it has become popular with groups other than families with special needs children, like caregivers for seniors.

A Target employee who has a child with special needs first brought Caroline’s Cart to the organization’s attention. “Caroline’s Cart can be a game-changer for families, and we’re excited to offer this for our guests across the country,” Juan Galarraga, senior vice president, Store Operations, for the company, said. “Target is always looking for new ways to make guests feel welcome in our stores and give them a more comfortable shopping experience. We’re always listening to both our guests and team members and making changes based their feedback.”

Target expects to have at least one Caroline’s Cart available in each of their US stores, and most stores will have multiple carts, depending on customer’s needs.

Long admitted it has been difficult selling retailers on providing Caroline’s Cart, because it’s not a product they can sell for profit. It actually comes directly off the bottom line, but many companies now understand the need for this service.

“This is something I did because I believed in it, and it just took time,” she said. “And it has grown from a napkin to nationwide Target!”