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Caroline’s Cart Creator Heads to D.C.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The inventor of Caroline’s Cart — a grocery shopping cart designed to carry children and adults with special needs — will meet with federal policymakers and other elected officials March 12-14 in Washington to raise awareness of the cart as a new addition for retailers seeking to make their stores more accessible.

Drew Ann Long, whose 12-year-old daughter Caroline inspired her to design the shopping cart, will speak to the National Council on Disabilities and make a presentation to the Access Board of the United States, a federal agency committed to accessible design.

Introduced last fall, Caroline’s Cart is now available at food retailers in 17 states, including stores operated by Kroger, Hy-Vee, United Supermarkets and Reasor’s.

"Every day, thousands of special-needs families find that getting into their favorite store is only half the battle," said Long, in a statement. "One of the biggest struggles is maneuvering a wheelchair and traditional shopping cart at the same time. Our hope is that retailers will add Caroline's Cart as an option for those needing mobility assistance, similar to what they've done with scooters and wheelchairs with shopping baskets."

Long will also join Easter Seals in support of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, a bipartisan bill that seeks to encourage and assist families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities.

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