Adaptive Costumes: Making Halloween More Inclusive!

For people with disabilities, Halloween can come with barriers—but creating a costume can also be a chance to think creatively and make it work with mobility devices, sensory needs and personal preferences.

“It’s important to be respectful of people with disabilities and remember that disability itself isn’t a costume,” said Easterseals Disability Inclusion Strategist Emily Ladau, who uses a wheelchair. “But creatively incorporating mobility devices into costumes is a great way to show people that disability isn’t sad or tragic, just another part of what makes a person who they are.”

Beyond the Costume Store

The best adaptive costume starts with the person—not the costume. Begin with a favorite character, animal, hobby or interest and build from there. 

A dinosaur, astronaut, mermaid, butterfly or princess can take almost any form. The goal isn't the most elaborate costume. It's one that allows the person to feel comfortable, confident and included in the Halloween fun.

A wheelchair can become a race car. A walker can become a magical unicorn. With a little imagination, everyday equipment becomes part of the fun.

A Halloween How-To

Think about what you or your child already enjoy wearing and what will be comfortable. If masks or hats are uncomfortable or restrictive, there are plenty of options that don’t require either. 

Make everything removable. If the costume stops being fun, it can come off. And remember: A costume doesn't have to be worn from head to toe to count. Sometimes the best costume isn't something worn at all. It's something that rolls, rides or moves along with you. 

Use lightweight, removable materials such as fabric or cardboard. But make sure decorations don't interfere with wheels, brakes, handles or controls.

For people with sensory sensitivities, simple changes can make a big difference. 

Sensory-Friendly Costumes

• Start with favorite, familiar clothing rather than a costume that feels strange or restrictive. 
• Skip scratchy fabrics, tight elastic, tags and seams.
• Consider lightweight accessories instead of bulky ones.
• Keep the costume on the equipment when wearing something isn't comfortable. 
• Avoid flashing lights, loud sounds or strong scents if those are overwhelming. 

10 Adaptive Costume Ideas for Mobility Devices 

1. Astronaut — Wheelchair
   Turn the chair into a spaceship with planets, stars and a control panel. The rider becomes the astronaut heading off on a mission. 
2. Dinosaur — Walker
   Decorate the walker to look like a dinosaur's body, with a tail extending behind it. Add a dinosaur hoodie or simple costume to complete the look. 
3. Fairy Garden — Wheelchair
   Transform the wheelchair into an enchanted garden with oversized flowers, butterflies and vines. Add fairy wings to the chair instead of the individual if wearing them is uncomfortable. 
4. Glamour Girl — Wheelchair
   Create a pink convertible around the wheelchair, complete with a personalized license plate, sunglasses and a big bow. Think Hollywood star, arriving in style. 
5. Mermaid — Wheelchair
   Turn the wheelchair into an underwater scene with blue fabric, seaweed, fish and bubbles. The child can be the mermaid, while the chair becomes the ocean around her. 
6. Pirate Ship — Wheelchair
   Turn the chair into a pirate ship with a cardboard bow, mast, flag and treasure chest. The rider becomes the captain. 
7. Princess Carriage — Wheelchair
   Turn a wheelchair into a royal carriage with cardboard wheels, ribbons, flowers and faux jewels. The rider becomes the princess arriving at the ball. 
8. Race Car — Wheelchair
   Build a lightweight race car around the chair with a racing number, steering wheel and checkered-flag details. Add a racing jacket or favorite T-shirt. 
9. Superhero — Walker or Wheelchair
   Turn the mobility device into part of the superhero's vehicle or headquarters. A cape can be attached to the chair rather than worn, making the costume easier for someone with sensory sensitivities.
10. Unicorn — Walker
    Add a horn, ears, colorful mane and a tail to a walker. Soft felt or fabric makes it easy to keep the costume lightweight and comfortable. 

Get Creative!

Old or young, Halloween is the perfect excuse to get creative with adaptive and sensory-friendly costumes and become whoever—or whatever—you want to be! 

The possibilities are unlimited!  Use your imagination and whatever is in the recycling bin!

Halloween Giveaway: Show Us Your Halloween Spirit! 

Old or young, Halloween is the perfect excuse to get creative with adaptive and sensory-friendly costumes and become whoever—or whatever—you want to be! 

Email a photo of you and/or your child in a Halloween costume to marcom@essc.org, and you’ll be entered to win! The photo can be a current or past costume and it does not need to be adaptive to qualify. The giveaway runs from Thursday, October 1 through Friday, November 6, 2026. Review the official giveaway rules here. 

5 lucky winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.