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Carrying Cash, Credit Cards and Valuables

Many people who use AAC, carry their money, credit cards, laptop computers and other valuables in bags attached to the back of their wheelchairs. They may need to ask people to get their wallets or money from these bags. Oftentimes, the AAC user cannot see what the person is taking out of their bags or wallets. AAC users report that they can be victims of theft. One male AAC user reported that he was robbed of money on the street and nobody heeded his calls for help. Another AAC user had his laptop stolen from the bag behind his wheelchair.

75% of participants in this project wanted information about how they could keep their money and things safe when out and about in the community.

ACCPC takes no responsibility for any of the suggestions listed here. These suggestions are intended to highlight issues that can be customized for an individual. We ask that you share your ideas with us so that we can in turn share them with other AAC users. Contact Us with Your Ideas


Issues for People who use AAC when Carrying Valuables   top of page

  • People who use AAC may want to:

    • Direct someone to some items such as transportation tickets, money etc.

    • Keep money, identification and credit cards in a safe place that they know about and can see but that is hidden from others.

    • Tell people how they want to carry their valuables.

    • Valuables are things that are important to you. They may or may not be of value to someone else. Keeping things safe not only refers to keeping things from being stolen but also keeping things from being lost or misplaced.

    • Examples of valuables include money, credit cards, identification and medical cards, medication, transportation tickets, jewelry etc.

Tips for Carrying Cash and Valuables   top of page

The following suggestions have been made by people who use AAC:

  • Decide what you need before going out e.g. money, I.D. or credit cards etc.

  • Carry small amounts of money.

  • Keep money, credit cards and identification cards in different pouches/compartments.

  • Find suitable wallets/pouches.

  • Decide which pouches you want people to be able to see and open and which pouches should be hidden.

  • Decide where to keep the pouches.
    • Inside of wheelchair next to your body
    • Side of wheelchair
    • Attached to your wrist, waist or around your neck
    • On your tray

  • Decide if you want to connect pouches to chair with bungee cord, chain, velcro or straps.

  • Label the content of a pouch that you want people to easily get at e.g. pouch containing bus ticket.

  • Use a rearview mirror to see behind you especially if you have a wheelchair bag at the back of your chair.

  • Do not label pouches that contain money or credit cards.

  • Do not keep valuables in a bag at the back of chair. If you do have to do this, put valuables at the bottom of the bag with other items on top.

  • Have an alarm/call bell/panic button which you can operate in cases of emergency.

  • Attention getters

  • Telephones

Examples of Ways to Carry Cash, Credit Cards, I.D., Bus Tickets and Other Valuables

Pouch is attached to lap-tray using Velcro.

Contains: Bus tickets for the day.

Note: An "emergency" ticket is kept in separate wallet.

Bus tickets tucked into device.

Bag attached to side of wheelchair.

Contains: Items easily accessible and of little value to others.

Clock attached to tray using Velcro.

Small pouch attached to side of head rest.

Contains: Bus tickets.

Wallet attached to wrist.

Can be easily seen by AAC user

Contains: Cash, credit cards, I.D.

Rearview mirror.

Person can see behind and keep an eye on their wheelchair bag.

Clear label to direct bus driver to tickets.

Zippered pouch on side of chair attached with chain.

Contains: Cash, credit cards, I.D.

Fanny pack around waist.

Contains: Cash, credit cards, I.D.

Pouch with lots of pockets and compartments to keep things separated.

Wallet is secured to wheelchair with a chain.

Wooden box attached to the wheelchair. Cannot be removed. Locks could be added for security – laser lock which can be operated with a single switch; combination lock or key kept in a separate place.

 

Phrases to Communicate About Carrying Valuables   top of page

The following vocabulary has been suggested by people who use AAC:

  • "Open my wallet and tell me how much I have in it."

  • "Get my wallet/purse."

  • "Count out my money in front of me."

  • "I’d like to take more [less] money."

  • "Put bus tickets in… (separate pouch or wheelchair tray)"

  • "Put my wallet… [location]"

  • "Tuck it out of sight."

  • "Put it where I can see it."

  • "Put my money and credit cards in…"

  • "Put [amount of money] in my wallet."

  • "Take out…"

  • "Close the bag at the back of my chair."

  • "Put the receipts in the envelope."

  • "Check that my computer is in my bag, that it is secure from bumps and that it is hidden from sight."

  • "Secure my computer with the safety chain."

  • "Close my bag/wallet."

  • "I’ve been robbed."

  • "Call the police (or my emergency contacts)."

  • "Tell me everything that is there."

  • "I think something is missing."

  • "My money/valuables have been stolen."

Communication Support


Sample Communication Displays   top of page

Picture Displays

The following displays use Mayer-Johnson's Boardmaker v5.x software. If you want to edit or print any of these displays you will need this software.

 

Text Displays

The following displays use Microsoft Word software. If you want to edit or print any of these displays you will probably need this software.


 

Practice Scenarios   top of page

  1. You want to know how much money you have in your wallet. What would you say to your attendant?

  2. You want the bus driver to be able to see and get your bus ticket without having to go into your wallet. What would you tell your attendant to do? What would you tell the bus driver to do?

  3. You want to make sure that your laptop computer is safely padded in your wheelchair bag. What would you say to your assistant?

  4. You want to see if someone is behind you and if he/she is getting at your wheelchair bag. What could you use?

  5. You want to secure your wheelchair bag to your chair. What could you use?

  6. Someone has stolen your wallet. What would you say and do?
 
 

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