Becoming a parent is a thrill beyond words, and you want to make sure you’re prepared to
welcome your little one into the world. For those mums and dads with disabilities, there are a
number of innovative gadgets and ideas to help your family.
Here are some suggestions you don’t want to miss.
An Energy Boost
Before you know it, your child will start to become curious and will want to explore their world. It
will be your job as a parent to make sure your little one stays safe by supervising them.
Additionally, as your child becomes more active and energetic, you’ll need to find ways to keep
up with them as they venture to the playground and play games with you. Before your little one
arrives, make some healthy changes to your routine. These include sleeping for seven to nine
hours a night and staying hydrated—when you don’t drink enough water, you become more
tired. Putting your needs first will help you stay active and energised, which are much needed
for parenthood.
You-Focused Design
Have you considered making some home modifications so your environment is more supportive
and efficient? Even if you are managing in a traditional home now, depending on your disability,
you might find some simple changes can be a boon to parenthood. For instance, wider
doorways can be helpful if you use assistive devices, and it’s an easy fix by way of expandable
hinges. Skid-resistant flooring can help prevent slips and falls, and eliminating stairs and steps
can add to safety and ease of navigation. If you don’t already have one, a ramp can be a helpful
addition. You can either purchase a small threshold ramp, or it’s a DIY project you can do
yourself or hire a handyman to complete.
Concepts and Ideas
One idea is to incorporate universal design concepts into your home. Universal design is based
on the idea of creating an environment that is accessible to anyone, regardless of age or ability.
You can add motion sensors to your lights, which frees up your hands for carrying your little
one, battery-operated faucets that “see” your hands when you wash, and drawers that open at a
slight touch, alleviating difficult pulling and pushing.
Conventional and Convenient
Before you invest in specialised nursery equipment, there are lots of existing baby products that
can be helpful to parents with disabilities. You can explore online reviews to ascertain what
products will be best in your situation. There are plenty of terrific baby gates, toys, strollers, and
cribs that might meet your needs perfectly. When selecting equipment, one recommendation is
to evaluate products based on whether you will have the ability to use both hands to make
connections and closures, whether you need to be able to use the product in conjunction with
an assistive device, and whether your area provides smooth, even pavement for navigation.
Think Outside the Box
Sometimes, simple ideas can make a world of difference. For instance, highly contrasting colours
are helpful to those with vision impairment, and baby monitors that issue alerts via lighting help
those with hearing impairment. Babywearing devices such as slings and harnesses help parents
who have limited strength or mobility, and they can provide added security for parents with
limited or no vision. And for those with limited dexterity, look to hook-and-loop closures for
easier fastening and unfastening, such as on bibs and diapers. Travel system strollers can also
be beneficial since the baby’s seat is higher and requires less bending to use.
Tailored to You
For those with mobility or dexterity concerns, Disabled Parents notes that there are many
adaptive aids available to help with raising your little one. Bathtubs designed for parents who
use wheelchairs, lifters to help raise your baby from the floor, and lap trays for carrying or
feeding your child can be helpful. Another idea is to look for baby equipment that can be easily
bought or tailored to meet your needs. Cribs can be altered to open at the side for easy access
to your little one. A chest harness allows you to use both arms while carrying your child. SCI
Parenting suggests you can create rolling carts for manoeuvring with your baby. When projects
go beyond your expertise, there are often sewers, carpenters, and welders who can turn your
ideas into reality.
Dads and mums with disabilities have plenty of great options for making parenthood easier.
Prioritise self-care, rethink your home environment, and contemplate clever solutions for baby
equipment. When your bundle of joy arrives, you’ll be ready!
Ashley Taylor