Disabled Muslims Australia

Hijab and Disability

 

Wearing hijab and dressing modestly can be very difficult, and even risky, for those with mobility issues, impaired upper or lower limb function, or those who are in hospital. This article provides advice on how you can dress modestly whilst not putting yourself at risk.

 

Clothing

Long dresses, jilbabs, thob, abaya, and other such articles of clothing are not safe to wear for wheelchair users. The material is easily caught in moving parts of the wheelchair, causing the wheelchair to stop moving, and trapping and injuring parts of the body. Long garments like this also inhibit safe and easy transfers. A safe and modest alternative is to wear 3/4 length garments, with pants underneath. At this length they cover the shape of your hips and upper legs without catching in the wheelchair's parts. There should not be flowy, baggy or loose material anywhere around the waist or below to avoid it getting caught.

 

Long sleeves should not be loose or they may be caught in moving parts, particularly those using manual wheelchairs. This can result in body parts being pulled into moving parts, trapped and injured. It also stops the wheelchair from being able to move properly, placing the user in very serious danger.

 

When you sit down tops tend to ride up, and pants or skirts tend to be pulled down, revealing parts of your skin. This is especially a problem for those with mobility problems. To remedy this you should wear pants and skirts that sit higher up, not on your hips but on your waist. Tops should also be bought a bit longer. Then attach buttons, presses or velcro to the underside of the bottom of the top and top of the pants so that the pants and top can be fastened to each other. This will stop you being revealed when sitting, and when operating a wheelchair. Some businesses, such as Ag Apparal, sell premade clothes designed for those with mobility difficulties and other disabilities that look like everyday youthful clothing.

If you will transfer or stand for prayer and wish to wear socks during this ensure that you wear socks that come with built-in grips on the soles to avoid slipping and falling.

 

There are many businesses selling clothes specifically made for those with mobility impairments. If you, or the person you care for, is unable to self-transfer, dress themselves, or toilet independently these clothes are the best option. They include things like discrete snap press joins so that a person may be dressed without needing to be lifted or standing, and to be toileted without removing the whole bottom garment. Sadly many of these are designed for the elderly, and do not suit a younger person at all. Alhumdulillah there are, however, some businesses that design clothes for those with mobility problems and other disabilities that look the same as the clothes worn by those your age. One such business is Ag Apparel. Please contact us if you would like a list of other clothing stores.

 

Avoiding pressure sores

To avoid pressure sores you should ensure that there are no buttons, zippers, snaps, seams or other raised parts of your clothing on the seat and other areas you will lean against or put weight on. You should also not wear loose, flowy or baggy clothing around your upper thighs or seat because the cloth bunches underneath you, increasing your risk of developing pressure sores.

 

Head Scarves

A headscarf can be difficult to impossible to put on for people with impaired upper limb function or control. There are head scarves available that you simply pull over your head, with no wrapping, tying or pinning needed. These can be a good solution. These scarves are also good for people who may not have control over head movements, and thus may find other scarf types slipping or being pulled.

 

Bedridden Persons

The most popular ways of tying your hair, or 'up-do's', produce bumps and protrusions at the back of your head or neck. When you are at home you let your hair out when you want to lie down at night, but for those women and girls who wear hijab this may not be an option when they are lying in a hospital bed. Having a bump at the back of your head makes lying down very uncomfortable, and can even cause pressure sores in some situations. Some women may turn their head to the side to avoid the bump sticking into the bed, but this is extremely dangerous, straining your neck. When you are lying down you want to rest, particularly when you are in hospital. The last thing you need is to feel uncomfortable because of your hair. See the tips below for different options that can keep your hair tidy and under your hijab, whilst ensuring your optimal comfort.

 

Wheelchairs and Vehicles

Headrests are essential pieces of any wheelchair, scooter or vehicle seat as they protect you from whiplash, and damage to the cervical vertebrae. However, those with long hair often feel discomfort, or are even unable to use the headrest at all. This is because the common ways of tying up hair, ponytails and buns, create a bulge at the back of the head that pushes against the headrest and prevents you from using it properly. Even more serious is the danger this poses to your health. This means that if the chair or vehicle brakes suddenly, accelerates hard, swerves, or is in a collision, the headrest will not protect you as it should. Instead of keeping you in an upright position with good alignment, as a headrest should do when used properly, the bulge at the back of your head causes the alignment of your head and neck to diverge from what is natural. Basically, that means when you brake suddenly, for example, your head is not pushed back in the correct position against the headrest. Instead, your head is pushed back at an angle, due to the bulge at the back of your head. Even an angle or divergence of 2cm is enough to cause serious injury under the forces involved in heavy breaking, collisions etc. If you removed your headrest to be more comfortable then your head would be thrown backwards. Inhibiting your headrest from working properly can cause serious, and sometimes irreversible, injury.

Personal story:

"I was involved in a car crash and had very bad whiplash. My doctor and physiotherapist said that my whiplash was made worse because my hair was in a bun, which made my head twist to the side by a few inches instead of going straight back when the crash happened." (Contributer asked to remain anonymous)

 

Hearing Impaired and Hearing Aids

Wearing a head scarf/hijab can cause significant problems for people with hearing impairements, or who wear hearing aids. When the cloth covers a person's ears sounds are muffled, a problem for people who already have hearing impairements. To avoid this problem many women tuck their hijab behind their ears, or cut holes in the hijab to allow their ears through. Scarves are also a problem for people who wear hearing aids. For hearing aids to work properly sufficient air flow must be allowed around them. For this reason, you may either tuck your hijab behind your ears, or cut holes for your ears. If you find that these options do not work for you then it is permissible to not wear a scarf. Allah is all understanding, and what is forbidden becomes permissible in necessity.

 

Hair and Scarf Styles for Safety and Comfort

Short Hair

Try cutting your hair shorter so it is no longer than your lower neck or shoulders. That way it stays under your hijab without needing to be tied up. This is a particularly good option for those with disabilities affecting their upper limb function, stamina, or personal care skills because it requires much less care and time than longer hair.

 

Braids/Plaits

Types of braids/plaits that distribute your hair well and keep it flush against your head can be good for using a headrest in vehicles. The hair tie or elastic must be used at the very end of your hair, not near your head, or the same problem will occur as with ponytails. It may also be suitable for wheelchair users who do not use their wheelchair for long periods, and have sufficient control and strength to prevent their head resting heavily against the headrest. Those who use a wheelchair for a long period, or who rest heavily against the headrest, should not try this option as braids/plaits do still create a bulge, albeit a smaller one, and the hair becomes harder as it is tightly wrapped. This would put too much pressure on your head in these circumstances. Braids/plaits are also unsuitable for lying in a bed for the same reasons. Please note that braids/plaits may not work if you have a lot of very thick hair because your plait would be too thick and cause a similar problem to a ponytail.

A braid/plait is difficult to do, particularly to yourself. If you have any condition affecting the mobility or flexibility of your neck please do not attempt this yourself because you may injure your neck. Those with a disability affecting their hand, arm or shoulder control or stamina will find this extremely difficult, or impossible. Unless you have someone who can braid or plait your hair for you choose another one of the suggestions here.

 

Pigtails

Try pigtails. This may sound childish but we are talking about under your hijab remember? No one will see it. It keeps your hear tied, in control and under your hijab, whilst leaving no bump at the back of your head or neck. The photo  below shows a woman wearing the hijab with her hair tied in pigtails. As you can see, her hijab does not look strange. You would not know that her hair is in pigtails if you were not told.