r/disability • u/SaintValkyrie • 1d ago
Question Tell me your unofficial/uncommon accommodations you use or made for yourself?
Both for physical disabilities, and mental disabilities (like autism/adhd/etc).
I wanna make my life easier and sometimes even just knowing how others use accommodations for their own stuff can help me get ideas for mine. Or inventions/modifications i could make.
I try to look up lists, but all it shoots out is the same generic stuff everyone can figure out. That or it only talks about accommodations for work instead of every day life outside of it.
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u/lymegreenpandora 1d ago
My car key fob is also a mini sensory toy holder I have multiple small toys on it.(anxiety/panic disorder/ptsd) I have a water bottle with a place to hold like protein or work out pills but it stores my meds for the day and emergency meds perfectly (made by bottle bottle) Silicone bath implements they are much easier on the skin and easy to grip and disinfect
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u/SaintValkyrie 1d ago
Woah!!! The water bottle thing is GENIUS
What do you mean by silicone bath implements? Like bath mats?
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u/lymegreenpandora 1d ago
Instead of a loofah I use silicone ones they even have ones for your back. https://a.co/d/aHjujSn That one is my favorite
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u/SaintValkyrie 1d ago
O! I didn't know those existed except for the face. Do you still feel clean after using it? Or like, I know loofahs foam up the soap a lot, so does it still get soapy?
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u/lymegreenpandora 1d ago
It still foams and I still feel clean. It feels different like little soft bristles cleaning you. It's great for acne and such. I have like 6 of them ( I might be obsessed)
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u/SaintValkyrie 1d ago
Heck yeah! My skin is super sensitive and bruises and lot, so fhat might be good. I also hate hate how hard they are to get the soap out of for regular loofah, so that could be a good time saver
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u/Lateral_Fragility 1d ago
For ADHD/autism:
- Keep lotion both at my desk and in the bathroom to avoid that dry hand feeling which inevitably makes me not want to wash my hands
- Using cleaning gloves to wash dishes as to not touch anything squishy
- Make shower time seem fun via music and planning it before a meal or snack as an incentive
- Finding staple meals that take 10 min or less to make in total, and buying some things premade even if it is more expensive (salads especially)
- Replace lightbulbs with smart bulbs that are both dimmable and able to be programed to warm/cold or colors (can get a pack of four on Amazon for like $30)
- Lists work for me, but not for everyone!
- Always wear my watch: it's a cheap-y Casio but it beeps every hour which helps with losing track of time, and it has a daily alarm for med reminders if I'm away from my phone
For other psychiatric issues (mainly agoraphobia, bipolar, PTSD, and panic disorder):
- Being overprepared helps with my agoraphobia, so I bring a backpack with anything I think I might need in it from a change of socks to a mini water bottle in the bag always filled (lmk if you want my full list)
- Two pill organizers - one on my desk for daily meds and one in my bag with daily meds + rescue meds + Advil
- I know this isn't uncommon but ESAs are a serious help with the depressive symptoms of bipolar, gives me a reason to get out of bed or not harm myself in moments of crisis
- Being diligent about daily mood tracking for bipolar (again not uncommon but serious help)
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u/ThisUnderstanding823 1d ago
Can I get your list pls? I can’t stand being uncomfortable or needing sunscreen cause I’m suddenly going outside and don’t have it. Etc.
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u/Lateral_Fragility 1d ago
Sure!
- Small makeup bag with my bare essentials to "fix my face", doubles of my normal stuff so it stays in bag 24/7
- Spray sunscreen that goes over makeup for reapplication or if I forget (Elf Suntouchable is amazing)
- Travel size body sunscreen
- Socks
- Mini hand sanitizer
- (AFAB here) Tampons
- Mini first aid kit - mainly assorted bandaids and Narcan (I used to live in an area with lots of opiate ODs)
- Travel pill case with daily meds, Advil, Klonopin, Adderall, extra birth control, and Zofran (aka my as needed meds + a nausea med, lifesaver!)
- Travel size tissue packs (one for nose and one for if I need to wipe something down)
- Earbuds that stay in bag 24/7
- Charging bank for phone and earbuds
- Phone charging cord and brick
- Pad of sticky notes
- Pen
- Stress ball hand squishy thing
I think that's it! Excessive, I know, but you will never catch me unprepared when out of the house!
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u/EugeneTurtle 1d ago edited 18h ago
Can you please share the link of the drimmable light bulb? Xoxo
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u/mytoesarechilly 1d ago
For someone who has trouble noticing details: all their food is at the front of the fridge, at the top, everyone else's is stored behind that. If this person can see what's available, it will get eaten rather than wasted. Laundry hampers are right next to the bathroom so clothes actually make it in there before a shower.
Allergies: label stickers. Stuff that only I can have, that others can't be contaminating, has a particular sticker. Stuff that I cannot have is also marked. I have a special color of container for my leftovers. Whole household has fragrance-free detergent and stuff.
I don't wear heels b/c of a leg issue. For a while, I wore boots instead of a brace because it still worked well enough and it looked nice. The house is set up so that I can lean on things to go to all the common places (kitchen, bathroom) if my leg is acting up because crutches suck sooo much. If it's just a moderately bad day, I'll just gallop and lean lol.
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u/mytoesarechilly 1d ago
I keep two weekly pill organizers. I can fill and rotate them so that there's never a day when I'm not feeling up to refilling the vitamins and I just skip instead.
I do the cooking, and I premake and freeze meals for everyone in case I'm having a bad health week or something. That way, there's no "but that was supposed to be for xyz!" easy cooking stealing other ingredients or need to order takeout.
Around-ear headphones because the dryer is too loud but there are chores to be done near the dryer while it runs.
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u/SimplySorbet 1d ago
I use a pill organizer to limit how many pills are within reach at any given moment in the event I get harmful urges.
I try to keep food and water on the little basket that hangs off my bed just in case I get stuck there due to avolition or catatonia.
I write down things and make lots of to-do lists as I have cognitive and memory issues sometimes.
It’s not uncommon for me to ignore bodily cues, so I keep pre-packaged foods on me just in case I’ve gone too long without eating.
I often keep airpods in my ears to reduce the amount of auditory stimuli I’m receiving.
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u/PBlacks lupus, EDS, PTSD, wheelchair user 1d ago
I need UV protection because of having lupus, so I put clear anti-UV film on my windows, carry an umbrella, and use Rit Sun Guard on my clothes a few times a year. I have a UV index widget on my phone. Fall and winter months are great because I don't need to bother.
Doing volunteer work in the middle of the night because of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (incurable night owl). Crisis hotline for example. I schedule emails and text messages for respectable hours if I feel like being "professional" (joking, but in all seriousness sometimes masking is necessary if people's judgment will be a problem).
I set stuff up all around my bed because I spend most of my time lying flat at home and work in bed a lot. I have various wall hooks to keep my cords, braces, other items organized. Overbed table with a lot of office supplies. Rolling storage within reach under my bed. Currently my baby's crib is also next to itaand within reach.
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u/1MoreChallenge 1d ago
Day of the week med container because I forget if I took them and need to check several times to see if that day's slot is empty or full.. Carabiner for keys on outside of purse because I'll need both if I go someplace. Labels on light switches because I forget which light they operate. Labels hot, cold and perfect on shower because I forget which way to turn the handle. "Recreational" scooter so I can take my SD (on retractable leash) for runs at HIS speed which is faster than "mobility" scooters. Large outside chair storage bag with shoulder strap hangs in front hooked over both mirrors of my "recreational" scooter to carry my folding chair/walker and fishing gear from my truck to waterside to bank fish. Open a lower kitchen cabinet drawer and put a cutting board across it to serve as a chair height cutting board/counter space. BBQ tongs to reach across the stove to turn on burner knobs. The list is endless.
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u/FiannaBurning 23h ago
This cabinet-cutting-board idea is genius! I never could have thought of that!
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u/AltruisticNewt8991 1d ago
I use a neck pillow all the time sometimes just holding up your head is alot . So I give myself a break with a neck pillow
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u/Analyst_Cold 1d ago
Kizik hands-free sneakers. Expensive but comfortable. They look like regular sneakers but you step into them. Bedside cart with toiletries, meds, snacks, office supplies, etc. Rechargeable fan everywhere I go because I overheat- especially helpful on the edge of the bathtub. A huge tote with individual zip bags to organize all of my Stuff.
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u/HeroOfSideQuests 19h ago
Oh where to start... I have so many conditions that require so many accomodations... I'll go with the stranger ones.
I struggle to remember to take any med more than 1x a day - timer caps are not enough - so I have a stopwatch on my phone at all times.
Even amongst disabled gamers I'm an oddity - I sit in a recliner, use an 8bitdo SE Lite controller on top of a boppy pillow.
For painting I use a crochet ring to hold the brush and then place all my fingers on top of it for steadying. (Note: I am terrible at painting - gross motor/fine motor impairments even before fibro - it's a hobby lol).
For TMJ I have an ice cream machine for inner icing and ice packs for outer. (Strawberry lemonade sorbet is the best.) In fact I have specialized ice packs for all over.
I've simply removed (cabinet/closet) doors and other barriers to ADHD - thank you HowToADHD - and have entire piles of "better to be half done than not at all" - thank you to How to Keep House While Drowning.
(Not uncommon, but commonly overlooked) Seriously don't underestimate the use of a handheld shower head, a shower chair, and a long handled brush together because it took showers from an "all spoons for the day" to a nearly painless set up. And yes, shorter hair helps for you who are struggling to lift your arms; but until then, rest your elbows on the arms of a shower chair and lean over.
Long-handled flosser - since I sublux my jaw trying to floss. Water flosser as well but it's not enough according to my dentist. Bonus points for a folding stool to sit on.
I replaced my shoelaces with no-tie shoelaces so I don't have to get speciality shoes. You know, beyond the ridiculously high arch stuff I already need lol. (Shout out to Vionic sandles)
C-shape/pregnancy pillow for sleeping (hypermobility/fibro/calcific tendonitis). And sleep earplugs. And eye mask. Perfect for reducing overstimulation.
Since this is already too long I'll finish with Tile (not apple tiles) since their products are consistently decent and have speakers to ring on the devices on top of gps location. Between ADHD, TBI, and fibro, the brain fog is brutal.
Anyways I'm happy to share more if you/anyone else gives me a starting point. I've been at this since I was a kid and I've had a lot of quick and unexpected sharp downturns in my health.
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u/Several_Trees 1d ago
ADHD: I have a policy of working with my brain instead of trying to make it do what I "think" it should be able to do.
That means things like: