The last few years have seen a positive change in our industry, as more brands and innovators are finally prioritizing accessibility. Whether they call it inclusive design, adaptive pleasure or accessible intimacy, the aim remains the same: Pleasure should be accessible to everyone, including people with limited mobility or physical disabilities.
Of course, even before many companies began embracing that goal and shining a spotlight on the issue, the need for accessibility had already impacted our industry in a significant way. Whenever I meet a customer who uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, our conversation often circles around to the iconic sex swing. Most people don’t realize that the swing was not originally conceived as a novelty item, but rather to support people with significant mobility limitations. It was a tool for possibility, designed to provide freedom, stability and equal access to pleasure. Only later was it rebranded for the broader market. This demonstrates that we absolutely have the capacity to tackle this issue.
What excites me most about that future is the endless opportunities that come when we involve more people in our design process.
Another example of adaptability and inclusion: perimenopause and menopause. For years, lubricants evaporated too quickly or needed constant reapplication. Then some brands paused to rethink the issue and created longer-lasting lubricants not as part of a trend, but out of necessity. Again, this clearly shows what can happen when the industry listens. If a product doesn’t meet our shoppers’ needs, we address the gap through innovation.
Now, in a much-needed shift, perimenopause and menopause have finally become mainstream topics — yet accessible pleasure for people with physical impairments remains far less openly discussed. Accessibility efforts should follow the same approach: identify what’s missing, listen to those affected and develop solutions that fit.
This was very much on the agenda when I attended the recent Climax Conference in Ottawa, where accessibility was a major topic of discussion. I spoke with a woman preparing to start a practice focused on helping people with physical impairments explore sexual pleasure. Her own physical challenges motivated her to seek solutions in a space where resources are often scattered or limited.
Another woman told me about struggling to hold a vibrator for long periods, because of limited grip strength. When I asked what she missed most, she didn’t hesitate to reply: “Control. Pressure.” Pleasure wasn’t the issue — the mechanics were. After brainstorming and ruling out ideas that wouldn’t work, we settled on something simple: using a wrist brace with a firm, flat-based vibrator inserted through the thumb hole. No grip strength needed, just directional pressure. She nearly cried at the thought of taking back even a little control.
Grip-strength limitations are more common than many realize. According to the CDC, 6.8% of adults face challenges with activities that involve lifting, grasping or repetitive hand movements — the very types of motions on which many pleasure products rely. Meanwhile, one in four adults in the U.S. has some form of disability, many involving mobility, grip strength or sensory impairments. Accessibility in pleasure products is relevant to more people than we realize, and eventually, it will matter to all of us. It’s not “niche” — it’s essential.
Hopefully, stories and statistics like these can help motivate our industry and the many talented people in it to create and promote more adaptive designs. Hands-free devices have great potential for visually impaired individuals, but only if controls are accessible. Small remotes that get lost between couch cushions are not practical. As AI advances rapidly, we need interfaces that don’t rely on sight, like braille-based inputs, tactile command pads or voice-free systems.
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, vibration mapping provides an alternative. Imagine toys that pulse with music or stim pads that create patterned sensations without electrical shocks. These devices should only produce vibrations — no zaps, no involuntary movements. Trust between partners is vital, and unexpected sensations can be upsetting. Consistency is key. So is affordability. No product is truly accessible if it’s too costly for many to afford.
We’re still just beginning to explore what accessible pleasure can look like. What we create next depends on whether we’re willing to listen and design beyond our own experiences. Topics like ergonomic redesigns and alternative pressure systems deserve more in-depth exploration. But accessibility doesn’t have to be complex. Often, simple ideas rooted in real needs have the greatest impact.
It’s time we create products that accommodate a wider range of bodies and abilities. Every improvement, even a small one, helps create a more inclusive future. What excites me most about that future is the endless opportunities that come when we involve more people in our design process.
That begins with asking people what they need. They’ll tell you — and the brands that act on those answers will be the ones shaping what comes next.
Alexandra Bouchard is an account manager for BodispaB2B and Nobü Toys, blending sales know-how with a passion for people and the pleasure industry.
