Finding accessible shoes for kids with special needs can be a real challenge for so many families. Traditional laces and stiff fastenings can turn getting-dressed time into a daily battle, especially for children who wear leg braces or have limited hand mobility. So when a shoe comes along that’s both easy to use and genuinely stylish, it’s worth shouting about.
A mum’s post about finding shoes that worked over her daughter’s leg braces went viral on social media a while back, and the flood of comments from other parents said it all — this is an issue so many families deal with every day. Looking at how cute these sneakers are, we wanted to find out more.
In her post, mum Nicole Goodwin Hulbert shared her excitement:
“Special needs moms: I’m so excited about these shoes I just found at Nordstrom! They are ‘Billy’ brand. Where have these been all my life?! Unbelievably easy to get on over braces! She got the lavender and the grey high tops. So cute too!”
And she’s right — these sneakers really are cute. We love that they come in bright, fun colours rather than something dull and purely “functional.” The best part of the story is that these shoes are designed for everyone — the fact that they’re accessible is simply a brilliant bonus.
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Adapted Shoes for Kids With Special Needs
The clever design feature that makes these shoes so accessible is the zipper that runs along the side of the shoe and around the toe, allowing the entire upper to open and fold over completely.
This means a child can place their foot straight onto the footbed, completely unobstructed — no wrestling with laces or squeezing a foot into a narrow opening. A simple tug on the zipper-pull closes the shoe and secures it snugly. That simplicity makes them easy to put on independently, and just as easy for a parent or carer to help with when needed.
We also love that you can buy mismatched sizes if needed, with the range spanning toddler sizes right up to adult men’s sizes.
Many families whose children use Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) have had great success fitting these shoes over their braces, though fit can vary from child to child depending on the brace style. Billy Footwear has also spoken about developing designs specifically shaped for wearing with braces — wider, deeper, and with a more durable internal lining based on customer feedback.
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What’s the Background?
Billy Footwear is the brainchild of two Seattle locals, Darin Donaldson and Billy Price. In 1996, co-founder Billy broke his neck after a three-storey fall and became paralysed from the chest down.
As a result, he lost the ability to move much of his body, including his fingers. Daily tasks that many of us take for granted suddenly became major challenges — and shoes were one of the toughest. He never found a pair that felt stylish and that he could put on independently.
Billy and Darin worked together on a prototype and launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring it to life. Their universally accessible footwear brand is now available to customers around the world. While Billy was the original inspiration, the pair always wanted to create mainstream shoes that are genuinely inclusive for everyone — not a specialist “medical” product, but a shoe anyone would want to wear.
You can find Billy Footwear shoes through the brand’s official website, with select stockists also carrying the range in some countries — it’s worth checking billyfootwear.com directly for current stockists and availability where you live.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Billy Footwear shoes different from regular shoes?
The key feature is a zipper that runs along the side of the shoe and around the toe, allowing the whole upper to open flat. This means a foot can be placed onto the footbed without needing to squeeze it through a narrow opening, and the shoe is then closed with a single zip pull.
Are these shoes suitable for children who wear leg braces (AFOs)?
Many parents of children who wear Ankle Foot Orthoses have found these shoes work well over braces, though fit isn’t guaranteed for every brace style. Billy Footwear has also worked on designs shaped more specifically for wearing with braces.
Do you need a diagnosis or specialist referral to buy these shoes?
No — they’re designed as mainstream footwear that happens to be easier for everyone to use, not a specialist medical product requiring referral.
What sizes are available?
The range spans toddler sizes through to adult men’s sizes, and mismatched sizes can be purchased where needed.
Related Reads
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- ‘Ian’ Is The Short Film Every Child Needs to Watch
Would shoes like this make mornings easier in your house? Do you have other favourite shoe finds for kids with special needs? Leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you!
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