Hobbies for Individuals with Disabilities: Finding Joy and Accessibility

Written by Danishy Kuganesan

Introduction

For people with disabilities, hobbies are anything but fun and games. Hobbies help bring a sense of stability, community, and individualism that’s empowering. It has been proven that people with disabilities spend more time enjoying hobbies to help combat multiple disabilities. Having a hobby empowers people with disabilities to continue to make the most of their lives regardless. At JuneAdaptive, we help people feel empowered in what they wear to enjoy their activities. 

There are many ways to use technology to aid in any hobby and how you can turn a hobby into a profitable business, among other subtopics. Here is why we believe it’s important for people with disabilities to consider taking up a hobby or two…or many. 

Inclusive hobbies for people with mobility or sensory challenges

While the list of hobbies for people with disabilities is vast, here are some hobbies you or your loved one can start pursuing. These hobbies range from physical hobbies to hobbies for building up intelligence and problem-solving skills to hobbies that maximize your creativity. There is a hobby made for everyone. Here are a few hobbies to help you or a loved one with mobility or sensory challenges start implementing them in their weekly routine. 

• Reading Books - This is a great one that helps you calm yourself down and relax. It’s not just limited to physical books either; many books are now available online as PDFs or audiobooks that allow you or your loved one to get fully immersed in a story

• Creating Art - Whether you are more into making paintings, making pottery, or making food, creating art is a great hobby that allows you to put your creativity on blast. It can also be used as a way to express yourself and your thoughts. 

• Journaling/Scrapbooking - This hobby allows you or your loved ones to reflect on any memories you made by cutting and pasting photos or drawings together to create a masterpiece. Journaling can also consist of writing short pieces or poems about anything that’s on your mind. 

• Video Games - Video games are a fun way to unleash your full potential. They help explore new worlds and solve problems through the comfort of your computer or mobile device 

• Gardening - Gardening is a great way to explore our earth's beauty to show you and your loved ones. You can grow your own vegetables too to use in your cooking 

How Technology is Used to Make Creative Hobbies Accessible

With technology getting more and more advanced, it is a useful tool to aid yourself and other people with disabilities in any hobby. For example, with video games, many games have handy features for yourself and other people with disabilities to fully enjoy. These features include voice controls, different options for the size and colour of the layout, the ability to connect with video game controllers, customized sizing of video controllers and voice commands. Another example is with art, specifically cooking. There are many easy-grip kitchen tools to help elevate your cooking. 

There are also clothing pieces that can help with enjoying your hobbies. An example is wearing slippers inside the house. These indoor slippers from JuneAdaptive come in an extra-wide size that is made to perfectly slide your foot in and a large Velcro strap, helping people with disabilities enjoy any kind of hobby faster. 

Men's Wide Non-Slip Indoor Slippers with Easy Closures

Tips for adapting traditional hobbies for specific needs

Here is our list of ways people with disabilities can adapt their favourite traditional hobbies to fit their needs

• Using an alternative format for your hobby - With reading, instead of picking up a physical book, you can use an audiobook service to listen to the book

• Inviting your friends or family members to participate in your hobbies - Any hobby is even more fun when you’re doing it with people you love and they can help you if you need any 

• Adjust your setting to accommodate your needs - This can be through improving your lighting, wearing looser clothes, having a quiet space and more 

• Practice your hobby consistently - By practicing, you’re better able to understand what aspects work for you when you engage in that hobby 

Women's Cardigan With Pockets

Hobbies that are best suited for older adults

Some of the activities mentioned here involve high motor skills, which may not be accessible to people with limited mobility. However, some hobbies are well-fitted for older adults and here’s our list 

• Aquatic therapy- This hobby, which takes place in a pool or other aquatic area, is easy on your joints and perfect for exercising and relaxing. 

• Large print sudoku/other puzzles - By having a large version of any puzzle book, it’ll be easier on the eyes and allow you to build problem-solving skills. 

• Photography - Taking photographs can be extremely soothing and easy to get started. All you need is a camera and you’re ready to go 

• Yoga - Many yoga poses are well-suited for older adults and also have a calming effect

How to find accessible recreational activities for people with sensory or mobility issues?

Firstly, you can go visit your local community centre. For example, in Toronto, you can visit the Toronto Public Library and grab a pamphlet to explore many free and affordable activities offered by the city that are suited for people with sensory or mobility issues. If you don’t have a local community centre, you can also visit an online browser like Google or Safari or visit any social media site to view local activities in your area. One social media site in particular where you can view hobbies for yourself and other people with disabilities is Reddit and Quora and engage with the disabilities communities online. 

How can people with disabilities enjoy recreation

• If you need to take a break from your hobby, feel free to do so 

• You don’t need to be a perfectionist in your desired hobby. After all, participating in a hobby is about having fun 

• Invite your friends or other family members in on your hobbies. It’ll help make long-lasting memories for everyone and help you fully be present in the moment

What hobbies bring good money for people with disabilities

A way that you can make a profit is by participating in a hobby and making money from it. Many of the above hobbies can be transformed into small or big businesses, which is a great way to combine your love for the hobby and earn a source of liveable income. 

Here are some niche hobbies that can be transformed into businesses

• Photography

• Music

• Visual arts such as drawing and graphic design

• Selling home-cooked goods

• Coding and Web Design Services

• Playing video games for a live audience through videos or live-streaming

• Juggling 

• Magic tricks 

• Fitness

Leisure Activities for Intellectual Disabilities

Intellectual disabilities is a term used to describe people with limits in cognitive functioning, communication, learning, and brain development. These facets are needed to live independently. These impairments include delays in motor skills (such as walking), difficulties with speech, difficulties with self-care (including getting dressed), poor planning or problem-solving skills and difficulty in understanding social rules.

Here are some activities that people with intellectual disabilities can participate in 

• Sensory play - Sensory play is any form of play that engages with our senses. These senses can include sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. This can be done through interacting with things that have a unique texture (such as playing with blocks, sand, and jumping in leaves). 

• Puzzles - Puzzles are a great way to develop both problem-solving and fine motor skills. Starting with a simple puzzle and moving your way up is highly encouraged

• Crafting - Crafting allows people with intellectual disabilities to tap into their creative side and create something special. As well, there are many crafting kits like Play-doh and bracelet-making kits that are made for beginners to start 

• Exercise - Light exercises such as walking and aerobics are perfect for engaging multiple muscle groups. By being active, you are also making an effort to stay healthy 

Women's Pull-on Active Capri Pants

Take Away

To summarize, there are many unique benefits that hobbies have to offer for people with disabilities. Having hobbies allows people with disabilities to give them the chance to show off their creativity, relax, and gain independence. With the advancement of technology, many of these hobbies can be done online and can be shared with others alike. There are also ways to turn a hobby into a profitable business, which is useful in providing financial stability. 

To read more articles like this about finding a hobby for multiple types of disabilities, as well as updates on where to find funding, benefits, and grants for yourself and other people with disabilities, please sign up for the June Adaptive Newsletter link at the bottom of this blog post. 

You can also click on the “Our Community Blog” tab to read similar articles about how Juneadaptive and adaptive fashion are making waves in the fashion world to be inclusive of people with disabilities.