Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for People with Disabilities

Looking for the perfect gift for someone who uses mobility equipment? Our 2023 holiday gift guide can help!

The holiday season is here, and we want to help you keep it merry and bright. From adaptive clothing to the latest in gaming tech, here are a few of our favorite products, gadgets and gear, curated specifically for people who use mobility equipment.

For the Sports Fan

The NFL recently released a special collection of adaptive and assisted apparel for all 32 teams. Available from Fanatics, the collection features adaptive and assisted short- and long-sleeved T-shirts as well as adaptive pullover hoodies. Some of the shirts use magnetic snaps at the shoulders, making it easier to pull the clothing overhead. Other items include adaptive bungees and extended adaptive zippers. Grab the perfect gift for your football fan at fanatics.com.

For the Gamer

Looking for a gift for the gamer in your life? Sony announced the Access™ controller for PS5 this fall, and the controller hit the market on Dec. 6. Highly customizable, the controller is designed to help players with disabilities play their favorite games more comfortably. The controller features swappable buttons and stick caps, allowing users to configure it to fit their range of motion and preferences. Players don’t have to hold the controller to play, and the controller includes expandable inputs, allowing players to use more than one Access controller simultaneously or add additional control devices. The design team worked closely with accessibility experts throughout the design process. Learn more about the controller at direct.playstation.com. 

For the Traveler

For the traveler, the best gift may be an unforgettable experience—and there are plenty of tools out there to make that happen. Last fall, Airbnb launched an Adapted category that allows travelers to find accessible homes in locations around the globe. To be included in the category, each home must have step-free access and dedicated accessibility features, and would-be travelers can use filters to search for specific needs. Becoming RentABLE offers a similar service, but focuses solely on the United States. Created by wheelchair-user Lorraine Woodward, the site includes an extensive list of accessibility accommodations, allowing travelers to find a short-term rental that meets their exact needs. 

For the Chef

From a cookbook recommendation to tools to make cooking easier, we’ve got a few gift ideas for your consideration. Adaptive cutting boards (some with spikes to keep food in place while chopping) and bowls with non-slip bottoms can be great gifts for people who love to cook. Jules Sherred’s Crip Up The Kitchen, which released in mid-2023, is also a great option. With tips for organizing the kitchen and ideas to make cooking a bit more accessible, the book also offers recipes organized by how much prep and effort are required. 

For the the Fashion Icon

Need a gift for the fashion lover in your life? There are plenty of options. Nine West and Kohl’s recently announced a new adaptive clothing collaboration, which will add even more adaptive apparel to the retailer’s growing list of fashion options.

Victoria’s Secret and PINK also released their first-ever adaptive collection this fall, offering intimates in a variety of colors and prints that feature magnetic closures, front strap adjusters and more. Looking for footwear?

Sorel, in collaboration with Zappos, has released an adaptive version of its popular Out n About III Classic Waterproof boot, just in time for cooler weather. The shoe features an adjustable strap and enlarged heel loop, making the shoe easier to take off and put on. People with disabilities tested the shoes, providing vital feedback to ensure quality and functionality. 

Looking for more options? Check out this gift guide from our friends at New Mobility Magazine or this one from BraunAbility.