Best Buy IdeaX

[#1]

I work with several people who have various disabilities and need adapted equipment to be able to use technology.  Additionally, my wife has a disability and has trouble using a standard keyboard and mouse.  Right now, the only way to find adapted equipment is to go on line and search, or be in contact with an occupational therapist or disabilty services provider.  There are lots of people for whom a non-standard mouse or keyboard or some other minor adaptation would make their technology experience much easier or enjoyable, but who don't know where to go to find the right stuff.

I think that adaptable or ergonomic equipment needs to go mainstream instead of having to be a medical issue.  I think Best Buy could be a leader in supplying that market by having products in-store that people could get hands-on rather than having to look at pictures and descriptions on a browser.  I don't think it would take a lot of floor space to have an area for accessibility, and would certainly benefit a lot of people, who don't want to be branded disabled, but have a need for equipment that isn't the standard off-the-shelf stuff.

[#2]

I do agree that this is a good idea. The problem is that BBY is in the business of making money. Would this market be too select to Justify in store space? I'm not trying to be rude, just you have to think like a business when asking for market space in store. If BBY chose to convert select stores to have these sections would you drive 20,30 or 50 miles to go to said store? As I don't see BBY putting this section in every store I could possibly see them testing it in limited stores. Likewise what specific items would you deem are in high demand in the disabled (I am unsure of what term to use to not offend you so I am sorry if I chose the wrong one) community? Remember that the selection would be limited at best, but could have more support by having them special ordered tO the store

[#3]

I would love to see us a leader in this space, and would like to hear from other customers if they would like to see us carry this type of equipment. I have to agree with Jimmienomam that this might not be cost effective for our stores, but I could see it available on BestBuy.com.

[#4]

I too work with a lot of people with various levels of limited mobility.

However, I disagree with store space.... I think it needs to be significant.  People need to be able try each device to ensure it's the right fit to be successful.

Perhaps not at all store locations, but test it out at a few store locations in major cities around the country.

[#5]

I agree that this would be great to have store space, Best Buy is a business and you would have to tackle it as such. Meaning that you would have to help show BBY that x amount of allocated in store space would make (both in direct sale and in added sales by bringing in the handicapped into the store). You have to start wondering why other stores have not adapted this. Maybe they polled people and found that it wasn't financially feasible to do this. Or maybe it's just an untapped market.

[#6]

I'd lean toward untapped market.  When I look around the office here, there are a lot of folks using egonomic mice and keyboards, speach recognition software, screen readers, etc.  You don't have to be certifiably disabled to need or want equipment that won't give you carpel tunnel or pinched nerves, or repetitive stress injuries.  People ask for the equipment or tell us they need something, and the IT follks try to find something to fit their need, but the IT folks are just guessing when they order something.  For the general public, there's really no place to go to actually see and touch equipment that could be useful to them, and if they order something from an online description, it may or may not wind up being useful to them.  There's all kinds of equipment out there, but most people probably don't even know about it, or where to find it.

[#7]

My local store has (or at least had) ergonomic keyboards on display and stocked speech recog software, so in my response I didn't take this stuff into account. Please don't get me wrong as I'm not trying to shoot down your idea, I'm just trying to get it clear so BBY won't discount your idea because they thought the same way I did. BTW I do like what Microcenter does and put almost all keyboards and mice on display to demo.

[#8]

start selling stuff for the disabled like portable ramps reflectors lights for wheelchairs ect cert clothes in the clothing department

[#9]

Thanks for all the input