Supporting Identity and Self-Expression: Clothing, Hair, and Personal Style in Disability Support
Clothing, hair, and personal style are powerful ways we express who we are. Whether it’s through a favourite hat, bold lipstick, or a hoodie with a beloved TV character—what we wear and how we look tells a story about us.
For people with disability, especially those who require daily support, this part of identity is sometimes overlooked. Outfits are chosen for practicality. Hair is brushed, not styled. Preferences are assumed, not asked. But self-expression matters—and support workers play a key role in protecting it.
Personal Style Is About Autonomy
Even small decisions—like choosing what to wear or how to do your hair—can support:
Self-confidence
Gender identity and cultural expression
Mood and emotional regulation
Social connection
A sense of control over one’s body
Whether someone dresses colourfully, dresses modestly, or wants to wear the same thing every day—it’s their choice to make.
Support Doesn’t Mean Taking Over
It’s easy to default to what’s quickest, cleanest, or easiest to manage. But support doesn’t mean taking away choice. It means making sure the person’s preferences are heard—even if they can’t verbalise them directly.
Ways to support personal style with respect:
Lay out two outfit options and let the person choose
Ask for their opinion about colours or accessories
Take note of favourite items or textures
Respect gender presentation (e.g. don’t assume someone wants “girly” or “masculine” clothes)
Support regular haircuts or styling if the person enjoys it
Involve the person in shopping for new clothes whenever possible
For people who use AAC or are non-verbal, choices might be made through eye gaze, pointing, facial expressions, or visual communication tools.
It’s Not About Fashion—It’s About Identity
This isn’t about staying “on trend.” It’s about valuing identity, culture, and personality in all its forms. That includes:
Wearing clothes tied to culture or religion
Choosing hairstyles that reflect identity
Expressing queerness or gender diversity
Having sensory preferences respected (e.g. tags, tightness, fabrics)
When support workers ask questions like, “What would you like to wear today?” or “Do you feel good in that shirt?”, they’re not just supporting hygiene or routine—they’re supporting personhood.
Dignity Looks Different for Everyone
How we present ourselves is a personal decision. For people with disability, being supported to express identity through clothing, hair, and style is a form of dignity, not decoration.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about choice, comfort, and confidence.