A Guide to Accessible Halloween Costumes for Wheelchair Users
September 20, 2023
It’s October in just a few short days and you know what that means; time to start planning your next award-winning costume!
Whether you’re more of a spooky costume person, or you prefer the fun and whimsical, we’ve got some tricks and treats to keep your Halloween spook-tacularly accessible.
Creative & Adaptive DIY Costume Ideas
Maybe you’re headed to a local Fall Festival, or gathering with friends and family, perhaps you’re on candy duty. No matter your plans for Halloween, dressing up can be fun for everyone.
Looking for that perfect fit, but not sure where to begin? Sometimes all you need to do is take a look around the room! This year it’s all about DIY. Check out these awesome ideas to get in the spirit.
- Mermaid
When it comes to transforming into a mermaid it’s all about you and the details. In a pinch, you can always use blankets or Snuggies shaped as mermaid tails to stay warm, then decorate your chair with nautical themed items like rope, fish, seashells, and anything else that reminds you of life under the sea!
- Game Show Contestant
Game show participants wear their own clothes, making this an easy costume for anyone. Just add the right accessories and you’re on your way to being a WINNER! Want to be on the Price is Right? All you need is some colorful construction paper, ribbon, and cardboard. Cut out a price tag from yellow construction paper and write your name on it and pin it to your shirt. Then grab your cardboard and green construction paper, write your winning bid, and fasten it around you with some ribbon. Always dreamed of singing your heart out on American Idol? It’s as easy as 1, 2, print! Just print their logo on a white sheet of paper, add some numbers, and pin it to your shirt. Bonus points if you can add a golden ticket or microphone.
- Bubble Bath
Splish splash! All you need is blue and white balloons to make this costume fresh and clean. After they’re all blown up, attach them all around you and your chair. Then, grab your rubber ducky, shower cap, and loofah, and enjoy the festivities.
- DJ
Ready to spin the night away on the 1’s and 2’s? Then put on your headphones and let’s rock! Exercise your creativity with this costume by decorating a cardboard box to make your custom DJ booth and fit it around your chair. Go as bold as you’d like with battery powered lights, cardboard vinyls, or maybe you’re entertaining the crowd with your laptop. In this accessible costume, you’ll be 2 legit 2 quit!
- Raining Cats & Dogs
If puns are your thing, then this costume idea is right up your alley, cat! You’re going to need an umbrella, some ribbons, and well, some cats and dogs. When it comes to your furry accessories you can either print and cut out pictures of cats and dogs, or if you’ve got a few stuffed animals lying around, those will work too. Tie the ribbon around your cut-outs or stuffed animals, then attach them to the inside of your umbrella. Then, have a friend attach your umbrella to your chair.
Where to find accessible & adaptive costumes?
DIY not for you? Or, maybe you’re looking for the perfect accessories? We’ve found some awesome retailers that carry accessible and adaptive costumes, as well as the perfect final details for any costume.
- Target
- Hyde & Eek!
- Spirit Halloween
- Family Halloween Store
Looking for more spooky inspiration?
If you need a little more inspiration before you get started, check these out:
- Refinery29 – 23 Incredible Costume Ideas for People with Disabilities
- numotion – Adaptive Halloween Costumes
- Good Housekeeping – The 30 Best Adaptive & Wheelchair Costumes to DIY or Buy
- The Mobility Project – 220 of the Coolest, Most Creative Costumes by Wheelchair Users
Don’t forget to share your Halloween spirit with Team ASI by sharing your costume on our Facebook page!
