The fight for inclusive retail just crossed a new border. A shopping cart designed for older children and adults with disabilities — a tool many U.S. families already rely on — has now landed on the shelves of a major Mexican retailer, signaling that accessibility in retail is a global conversation, not just a domestic one.
One of two Caroline’s Carts now at Walmart Toreo, giving families of children and adults with disabilities a safer way to shop together.
Drew Ann Long and her daughter Caroline, the inspiration behind Caroline’s Cart.
Also worth a look: Amniotic products market heads to $1.65B by 2030 as surgery demand climbs and OffiGo’s new desk guide: storage layout beats drawer count.
Mexican families welcome the arrival, and Alabama mom and inventor Drew Ann Long hopes it opens the door to accessible shopping across Latin America.
My hope is that every family in Latin America who needs one can find one close to home.”— Drew Ann Long, founder of Caroline's Cart & accessibility advocateMEXICO CITY, MEXICO, October 30, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Caroline's Cart, the first patented shopping cart built specifically for older children and adults with disabilities, has officially made its way to Mexico City. Walmart Toreo (store 2344) on Blvd. Manuel Ávila Camacho in colonia Periodista now has two of these adapted carts available for shoppers. Families who have outgrown the standard cart’s child seat finally have a practical option that lets everyone shop together.
Every cart placed in a store represents more than just hardware — it’s a step toward more accessible and inclusive public spaces.
The cart addresses a daily struggle for caregivers. Without it, parents often find themselves pushing a wheelchair with one hand while wrestling a grocery cart with the other, or they simply decide the trip isn’t worth the hassle. Caroline’s Cart features a forward-facing seat capable of holding up to 250 pounds, allowing the person receiving care to ride safely while the caregiver moves through the store with ease.
"When I sketched this cart on a napkin, I was a mom trying to take my daughter to the grocery store. Seeing it in Mexico City, chosen by local families and a local store, tells me this need has no borders. My hope is that every family in Latin America who needs one can find one close to home," said Drew Ann Long, founder of Caroline's Cart.
Long first envisioned the cart for her daughter, Caroline, who lives with Rett syndrome — a rare neurological disorder that severely restricts her ability to walk and speak. Despite having no background in business or engineering, Long turned a 2011 prototype into a patented product now manufactured by Wanzl. Today, Caroline’s Cart can be found in more than 15,000 stores across all 50 U.S. states and eight countries, including major retailers like Walmart, Target, Kroger, Publix and Lowe’s.
The Mexico City launch builds on rising demand for accessible retail throughout Latin America. Long advises families who want a cart at their local store to approach the store manager directly, noting that many locations have added the carts after receiving customer requests.
Long’s journey has been covered by the TODAY Show, CNN, CBS News, HuffPost and Inside Edition. She has earned the International da Vinci Award and was named to the NRF Foundation’s "The List" of people influencing retail. Her full story is told in her book, Game Changer: The Remarkable Story of Caroline’s Cart.
Drew Ann Long is available for interviews with US, Mexican and Latin American media about accessible retail, caregiving and inclusion.
About Drew Ann Long
Drew Ann Long is the founder of Caroline’s Cart and Caroline’s Cause, which awards scholarships to high school seniors who have a sibling with a severe intellectual disability. A Certified Professional Speaker and resilience coach based in Alabama, she is the author of Game Changer: The Remarkable Story of Caroline’s Cart. Learn more at drewannspeaks.com.
About Caroline’s Cart
Caroline’s Cart is the first patented shopping cart designed for older children and adults with disabilities. Manufactured by Wanzl, it is available in more than 15,000 stores in all 50 U.S. states and eight countries. It won the 2013 International da Vinci Award for Transportation & Mobility.
Media inquiries can be sent to Jasmine Bloemhof, Bloom Into The Spotlight, at jasminebloemhof@outlook.com
Jasmine Bloemhof
Bloom Into The Spotlight
+1 310-722-5861
—
**Why it matters:** This rollout marks a tangible step toward normalizing disability-inclusive design in everyday commercial spaces beyond the United States. When a major retailer in a new country adopts this kind of specialized equipment, it sends a signal that accessibility is a baseline expectation, not a niche request — and it could encourage other Latin American chains to follow suit.
