Remote Control Adaptations: Practical Fixes for Accessibility

Remote controls are everywhere — on hospital beds, recliners, TVs, sound systems, and more. While they add convenience at a touch of a button, these devices can be tricky for people with hand weakness, reduced vision, or other challenges. This post zeroes in on practical fixes and therapist-approved strategies for adapting handheld remotes. Whether it’s a call button in a hospital, a recliner hand controller, or a TV clicker perched on the couch, the goal is to make these devices more accessible, secure, and usable across a wide range of physical and sensory needs.

This content does not offer personalized medical or occupational therapist advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is for educational purposes only. We hold no liability for damages resulting from website use or information. Users are advised to consult qualified healthcare professionals for their health and functional concerns. Read full disclosure here.

Why Adapt Remote Controls in the First Place?

Remote controls are often designed with small buttons, flat surfaces, and smooth plastic that don’t work well for people with:

• Low vision or blindness
• Limited hand strength or coordination 
• Tremors or shakes
• Muscle stiffness such as spasticity
• One-handed use or limb differences
• Cognitive challenges that make it hard to identify button functions 

Adapting remotes can improve independence, reduce caregiver reliance, and support timely access to call buttons and positioning controls. 

Materials to DIY Your Own Remote Control Adaptations

You don’t need fancy tools to get started. Many useful materials for adapting remotes are probably already in your junk drawer or workshop. Here are a few easy-to-find supplies that can work well for customizing remote controls for different needs:

• Rubber bands
• Zip ties
• Duct tape
• Moldable materials like air-dry clay or thermoplastic beads
• Double-sided hook and loop tape

Looking for more ideas? Check out our post on 25 Must-Have Materials for DIY Assistive Technology Projects for simple, low-cost supplies that can make a big difference.

Remote Control Adaptations by Need

Visual Impairments

For people with low vision or blindness, remote controls with similar buttons can be hard to navigate. These simple DIY strategies focus on making key buttons easier to locate by touch or enhancing contrast for better visibility.

• Tactile enhancements: Mark key buttons like volume, power, or call with raised dots, puffy paint, or textured stickers. These can be identified by touch, rather than relying on sight. We have a whole other post dedicated to push button adaptations for physical and sensory needs!
• Button guides: Use tactile guides made out of foam or cardboard to identify separate clusters of buttons and reduce accidental presses. 
• Visual enhancements: add brightly colored tape to important buttons. Try neon colored Washi tape.
• Illumination mods: To enhance contrast, install glow in the dark stickers or  glow in the dark remote cover to add illumination and brightness. 

Incoordination or Spasticity

When movement is shaky or hard to control, pressing the right button can be a real challenge. These adaptations aim to stabilize the remote and make individual buttons easier to target.

• PVC pipe or foam tubing “remote holders”: Cut a piece of cylindrical foam tubing lengthwise and secure to the back of the remote to provide a wider grip surface to stabilize the remote.
• Velcro stabilization: Secure remotes to a tray table or armrest with Velcro to keep them from slipping during use.
• DIY keyguards: Prevent accidental presses by isolating individual buttons with tape, foam, or plastic materials.
• Build up buttons: Increase target size by building up buttons. Moldable materials like curable clay, raised stickers, and small foam pieces are all possible options. 

For Finger or Hand Weakness

When finger or hand strength is limited, holding and handling a remote can be tiring or even impossible. These adaptations help improve grip, reduce effort, and keep the remote close at hand.

• Remote handle attachments: Add handles like the EazyHold or DIY a Universal Cuff made out of duct tape or double sided hook and loop straps. 
• Use a stylus to press buttons: Try a standard or adapted stylus to press buttons instead of fumbling with fingers. 
• DIY lanyards for remotes: Check out our duct tape lanyard to keep the remote tethered to yourself or a sturdy object like a bed rail, walker, or wheelchair armrest. 
• Hook stations: Add a loop to your remote with ribbon or zip ties then use wall or furniture-mounted hooks to hang remotes within reach. Command hooks work great. 
• Tray-based remote caddies: Using adhesive strips or Velcro, mount remotes to a clipboard, cutting board, or lap tray to stabilize them and prevent drops.

One Handed Remote Use

Using a remote with only one hand can be tricky, especially for people who also have limited strength or control in that hand. These simple adaptations help keep the remote stable and make buttons easier to press with just one hand.

• Non-slip backing: Place shelf liner or Dycem non-slip mats under the remote to keep it from sliding on a table, tray, or armrest.
• Cell phone grip: Add a cell phone grip or strap to the back of the remote to make it easier to pick up and hold with one hand. This can help reduce drops and improve control during use, especially for people with limited grip strength or dexterity.
• Clipboard or tray mounts: Attach the remote to a clipboard, lap tray, or cutting board using adhesive strips to hold it in place while in use.
• Lanyards and hanging loops: Add a lanyard or hanging loop then hang it from a bed rail, wheelchair armrest, or hook for easy access.

Remote Adaptations for Cognitive Challenges

For people with cognitive challenges, using a remote can be confusing or overwhelming. These adaptations focus on simplifying the remote’s layout, reducing distractions, and helping users remember how to operate essential functions.

• Button labeling: Use large, clear labels or color-coded stickers on key buttons like power, volume, or call. This helps users quickly identify important controls without guessing.
• Simplified covers: Add a button cover or remote shell that blocks unused buttons, reducing confusion and accidental presses.
• Picture cue cards: Attach small cue cards or laminated instructions near the remote with simple steps or pictures showing how to use it.
• Remote holders: Use a dedicated spot like a bedside caddy or mounted holder to keep the remote in the same place, making it easier to find and less likely to get lost.
• Voice control alternatives: When possible, supplement with voice-activated assistants or remotes that respond to simple commands to reduce reliance on complex button presses.

Bonus: Adaptations for Remote Access from Hospital Beds

Hospital or long-term care beds often use wired remotes for repositioning and nurse call. Elder adults and people with serious medical conditions often need a variety of modifications. Try:

• Taping a cotton ball over important buttons like the nurse call to quickly identify it
• Attaching remotes to bed rails with retractable badge clips or coiled lanyard.
• Ask for a specialty call button like a pancake style nurse call button or an E-Z Call Nurse Call Switch if unable to access a standard call button. 

Looking for Commercial Products?

While this post focuses mostly on DIY solutions, you can also explore commercial options like:

• Simplified remotes from Flipper or SiMPL Technology
• Oversized universal remotes are easer to read and operate. They are also harder to lose!
• Pair an electronic device with an Environmental Control Unit (ECU) or smart hub to bypass traditional remotes altogether.
• Voice-controlled electronics: Swap traditional remotes with devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home to enable voice-based control of TVs and smart outlets.

We recommend trialing DIY options first to identify which features really help, then investing in devices that match the user’s needs.

Final Thoughts

Adapting remotes might sound simple, but for someone living with physical, sensory, or cognitive limitations, it can make the difference between passive dependence and active control. These fixes don’t have to be expensive or complex. With a little creativity, and maybe some duct tape, you can turn frustrating devices into accessible tools that support daily independence.