Daily life with disability requires adaptive strategies, accessible equipment, and sometimes creative problem-solving. This section covers practical guidance on everything from personal care to hobbies, helping you maintain independence and quality of life.
Daily tasks that non-disabled people do without thinking—bathing, cooking, getting dressed—may require planning, adaptive equipment, or support for disabled people. This isn't tragedy; it's adaptation.
This section celebrates the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity of disabled people solving daily living challenges. We cover assistive technology, adaptive clothing, accessible cooking, exercise, hobbies, travel, and enjoying life with disability.
Introduction to assistive technology (AT). Covers what AT is, different categories, funding sources, and how to choose appropriate AT for your needs.
Adaptive strategies for bathing, grooming, using the bathroom. Covers equipment, modifications, and ways to maintain independence or dignity in care situations.
Adaptive cooking methods for different disabilities. Covers accessible kitchens, equipment, meal planning, nutrition during flares, and food access.
Movement and disability. Covers adaptive exercise, sports for disabled people, pacing, energy management, and the difference between exercise and pushing through.
Hobbies, fun, and connection with nature. Covers accessible recreation, planning accessible travel, outdoor activities modified for disability, and joy with disability.
Travel planning for disabled people. Covers accessible accommodations, transportation, international travel, packing accessibility gear, and managing disability on the road.
Looking good and feeling confident with disability. Covers accessible clothing options, adaptive wear, beauty that works with your body, and self-expression.
Living with companion animals. Covers pet access, pet care with disability, service animals, and the joy of animals.
Assistive Technology Overview →
Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, software, or equipment that helps you do what you need to do. Examples:
Mobility AT: Wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, adaptive bikes
Communication AT: AAC devices, screen readers, speech-to-text
Hearing AT: Hearing aids, cochlear implants, captioning systems
Vision AT: Screen readers, magnifiers, white canes, guide dogs
Cognitive AT: Planners, reminders, organizational systems
Self-care AT: Grab bars, reaching tools, adapted utensils, shower chairs
Most disabled people use multiple forms of AT. AT changes your life—not magically, but meaningfully.
Personal care includes bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing. Adaptive strategies:
For mobility disabilities:
For fine motor disabilities:
For cognitive disabilities:
For sensory disabilities:
Cooking accessible looks different for different disabilities:
Mobility adaptations:
Chronic illness/fatigue adaptations:
Cognitive adaptations:
Access to food:
Nutrition is important. So is not starving yourself. Use whatever resources you need.
Movement is important, but "exercise" looks different for disabled people.
Key principle: Listen to your body; don't push through pain or fatigue.
Adaptive exercise:
Pacing and energy management:
Disability sports:
Learn more in Exercise & Adaptive Sports →
Travel is possible with planning:
Before you go:
During travel:
International travel:
Travel planning resources:
Clothing should work with your body, not against it.
Adaptive clothing options:
Where to find adaptive wear:
Clothing for different situations:
You deserve to look good and feel confident.
Disability doesn't stop hobbies. They may look different, but joy is still possible.
Adapted recreation:
Your hobbies matter. They provide meaning, escape, creativity, and connection.
Living with animals brings joy and companionship.
Pets with disability:
Service animals:
See Service Animals → for more information.
Independence doesn't mean doing everything yourself. Independence means:
Asking for help is independence. Using AT is independence. Accepting support is independence.
Disability is hard. It's also not all-consuming. You can:
Disability doesn't define your life, but it shapes it. Both things can be true.
Have you found adaptive strategies that work? Know about accessible products? Have creative solutions to share?
We welcome contributions from disabled people navigating daily life creatively.
Last updated: [Date]
Maintained by: DisabilityWiki Daily Living Team
Questions or feedback? Contact us →