Disabled people may have difficulty locating shoes that meet their needs for comfort and support. However, your impairment should not force you to give up a pair of shoes you love.
The most suitable footwear for people with disabilities will be functional and fashionable. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your beloved pair of heels because of your disability. The good news is that people with disabilities who are interested in trendy shoes have several alternatives.
When looking for shoes for people with disabilities, it is important to know your own needs and preferences. Follow the tips in this article to find the best shoes for people with special needs, like wheelchair users, the elderly, and others.
Best shoes for people with disabilities
Several factors should be considered while selecting footwear for individuals with disabilities. This might help you make the best decision when purchasing footwear for this demographic.
Wheelchair users put a lot of stress on their feet from pushing themselves around all day. Look for the best shoes with cushioning and shock absorption to reduce the risk of damage and edema. People with disabilities need to have footwear that doesn’t restrict their movement. Each pair of shoes you buy should meet three criteria: comfort, durability, and support.
Shoes that work for you as a wheelchair user
Wheelchair users should wear only the finest footwear. They demand the best shoes in town. But it’s not just about shoes, the wheelchair itself plays an integral role in their comfort and mobility. A wheelchair like our Model H hybrid wheelchair can enhance the user’s daily life by offering both manual and powered modes of operation.
In a wheelchair, moving quickly forward and backward all the time can also be hard on the feet. When you stand up from sitting too often, you can get sore muscles and calluses on your heels and the balls of your feet. If you want to avoid falling down ramps or stairs, you should invest in shoes with thick soles and good grip.
Wheelchair users should only wear the best shoes that provide the highest support, security, and safety levels. Those who rely on wheelchairs often have restricted movement and hence require slip-on shoes.
What to consider while purchasing footwear as a disabled person
Make sure the shoes you buy fit you well and are comfortable. Shoes that fit properly should be broad enough to support swelling ankles without being too loose in other areas. The instep area of the shoe should also be a close fit, but not so tight that it’s uncomfortable to take off.
Select footwear with a roomy toe box, particularly if you want to wear socks or stockings. To do this, you may need to purchase a larger size than you normally would; nevertheless, you should not purchase an item that is more than two sizes larger than it would normally fit you since this may cause complications if you ever need to return or exchange it.
It can be difficult to find the right shoe for an elderly person or an adult with disabilities. The shoes need to be comfortable, supportive, and, most importantly, easy to get on and off.
These factors should be taken into account while shopping for a comfortable pair of shoes for someone with limited mobility or arthritis:
An ideal match:
Verify that the shoe isn’t too little or too big for your foot or for the foot of the person you’re buying it for. You wouldn’t want it to be painful or irritating to your feet and ankles.
Easy to handle:
Look for shoes with a rear heel opening or front entrance so you or your loved one can quickly put them on and off. Also, it would be best to look for wide enough laces that even someone with weaker hand muscles could tie them.
Comfortable:
Look for a heel with internal cushioning, like gel, to help absorb shock while your loved one walks around all day. This will prevent their heels from falling from beneath them as they stroll about all day.
Ideal shoes for disabled adults.
In a positive turn of events, several shoe options exist that are tailored to the needs of people with mobility impairments. They should wear shoes that provide maximum comfort.
Adaptive shoes are not only more comfortable, but they are also easier to put on and take off, thanks to features like padded heels and tongues. The wearer’s skill is not as crucial; hence these shoes may use Velcro straps in place of laces.
Protective and supportive footwear is ideal for individuals with disabilities. People with disabilities need specialized footwear to provide the extra protection and support their feet demand. Whether they are dress shoes or athletic shoes, numerous companies have created comfortable footwear for disabled persons.
What are adaptive shoes, and what are their advantages?
Easy-to-put-on shoes are known as adaptive shoes. Let’s check out a few benefits.
- The risk of falling is mitigated by the slip-resistant sole of adaptive footwear.
- The ease with which these shoes may be placed on or removed is a great boon to those with mobility issues or who are elderly.
- The spacious toe box and upper shape leave plenty more room for the feet to move about and breathe.
- Extra cushioning and padding have been purposefully included in the sole. The feet are comforted without being overworked.
Best Shoe Brands for disabled persons
Nike FlyEase
The Nike FlyEase line contains some of the finest shoes for individuals with disabilities, so let’s begin with that. These shoes are designed to be more accessible for individuals with disabilities; for example, they do not have shoelaces and are thus easier to put on and take off.
The Nike FlyEase Collection meets all the criteria for a great pair of orthopedic sneakers, which is great. Their comfort and good looks make these shoe ideal for long periods of usage or swollen feet.
The best part is that the Nike FlyEase collection includes footwear for both adults and children. Some of the most trendy pairs in this set include the Nike Go FlyEase, Nike Force 1 Toddle, and Nike Air Vapormax 2022 Flyknit.
Price: $160
Friendly shoes
They aim to generate comfortable, functional, and beautiful shoes that anybody can put on and take off. Friendly Shoes® improve mobility and freedom by quietly fitting more adaptive demands than any other shoe technology without losing design, comfort, or support. Their gorgeous but practical shoe designs are the result of a partnership between expert shoemakers and American medical specialists.
Price: $33-$120
Pedors
The shoes they sell are pretty convenient for disabled adults. Pedors provide orthopedic shoes for both men and women in a wide range of sizes and designs. Some of their best-selling shoes are the Pedors Classic Orthopedic Shoes, the Pedors Orthopedic Stretch Walker for Men, and the Pedors Orthopedic Stretch Walker for Women. A decent pair of shoes, in their opinion, should be not only comfortable but also attractive.
Price: $85-$90
Billy Footwear
Billy footwear is one of the most well-known brands that produce quality footwear for adaptive feet featuring oversized double zippers. The upper of each shoe in this footwear is designed to open and fold over entirely, thanks to zippers that run the length of the shoes and around the toe. That way, the shoe footbed is entirely accessible to the wearer. Once the wearer has inserted their foot, the shoe may be closed and secured with a quick pull of the zipper. Billy footwear is recommended for disabled individuals.
Price: $22.50-$125
Stride Rite
It is an excellent brand for selecting footwear for handicapped adults. Stride Rite has introduced “Journey”, a new shoe intended to handle orthotics, braces, and extra wide widths. It has longer laces, adjustable straps, detachable insoles, and an easy-on/easy-off button.
Price: $15-$70
Converse
You know this brand has been around for a long time since so many individuals have worn its shoes. Converse shoes, which people of all ages love for their ability to make it simpler to walk on curved surfaces, are famous for being low to the ground. The demands of people with disabilities are well-served by their shoes, adding to its already stellar reputation among the general population.
Price: $45-$250
What others are saying about disabled people’s footwear
Post:
My girlfriend needs a very specific type of shoe. No arch, no sole what so ever, and very adjustable laces. She needs to be able to feel the ground under her, but her feet are also very unique in shape and ability.
Comment:
Look into the Nike FlyEase
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Post:
Does anyone know of cool-looking everyday sneakers that are friendly for handicapped people? My friend has left (or right, I forget rn) sided hemiplegia and mentioned it could be difficult for him to tie his shoes.
Comment:
They’re super expensive, but the Nike Adapt lineup may work. They lace and unlace at the push of a button using motors, and your friend can even use his phone to lace tighten them. A more budget-friendly option is the Nike Air Max 90 Fly ease; they are specifically made for people with more limited mobility.
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Post:
I’m a disabled woman, and here is why classic Converse are the best shoes.
You can read the full post here