Toy Shopping with a Disabilty

There are lots of things to consider when buying your first or a new sex toy. Even more so if you are disabled, neurodivergent or Deaf. It can seem completely overwhelming to know where to start shopping.

Here is our guide to shopping for sex toys if you are disabled or neurodivergent or Deaf

Noise levels

If you are Deaf or have hearing loss, it can be a worry that you may pick a noisy toy. Especially if you have housemates or live at home. No sex toy is going to be 100% silent as they all make some level of noise but some are quieter than others. During the pandemic, when we were all forced to stay home, sales of silent vibes soared.

Sound is measured in decibels. For example, a refrigerator is normally around 50dbs. Something around that should be okay in terms of noise control. If you are worried, a light background noise such as a television or Spotify playlist may help you to relax.

The Bamboo Rose Gold Bullet Vibe measures 55dbs. It’s one of the quieter vibes, especially for a bullet. Not only that but the vibe itself looks incredibly discreet meaning that it's not immediately obvious what it is!

Some toys make no sound whatsoever, this includes the Elevate cock ring from the Quest range which can be placed over a penis. This is perfect for couples or solo play.

Dexterity

If you have poor dexterity or find it difficult to grip toys, our Quest range is a good place to start shopping. Quest features several toys that have remote controls that feature wrist straps. This can help you to keep a good grip on the remote. Not only that but several toys within the range also have wrist or finger loops such as the Elevate cock ring which has four finger loops that allow you to pull the toy open to pop it on. Odyssey also has a finger loop which means you can keep better control over the bullet vibrator.

The packaging is designed so it can be easily opened - you can even open it with your teeth if you want to! The snap charging means it's easy to pop the toys on charge too without having to struggle.

Lube

It’s a good idea to keep a bottle of lube on standby for when you need it. There are lots of different reasons that we may need a little bit of lube including menstrual cycle dryness, menopause, medical conditions, trying anal sex or just wanting to mix it up a bit!

It’s important to remember that not all lube is created equal - some are really not safe to use with toys. Make sure that you purchase a water-based lubricant and keep in mind any allergies. Some people who are neurodivergent or have allergies may struggle with different flavours or smells so it's important to shop around to avoid those if you can.

Small buttons

For someone who is visually impaired, smaller buttons can be really difficult. The Quest range features larger and therefore more easily pressed buttons on any of the vibrating toys. The toys themselves aren't overloaded with complicated buttons, making it easier to know which ones to press. This is particularly helpful if you are neurodivergent and/or visually impaired.

Not only that but the boxes feature braille and are easily opened.

Want to learn more about sex, relationships and disability? Visit the Undressing Disability website for more information.

(https://enhancetheuk.org/sex-and-disability/)

 Undressing Disability is a campaign that aims to raise standards and awareness in sexual health for disabled people. It also shares expert advice, resources, training and education while running campaigns on sex, love and relationships. Previous campaigns have highlighted inaccessible smear testing, loneliness and dating for disabled people. The team also run free Love Lounge sessions which provide support and information for people who need a friendly face-to-face chat or want anonymous advice. There is also an Undressing Disability podcast, events and now a new range of accessible sex toys called Quest.