The Sims 4, a popular life simulation game, allows players to create and control virtual characters. While offering a wide range of customization options, the game lacks significant representation for disabled characters. This raises the question: can The Sims 4 do more to reflect the experiences of people with disabilities?
In this discussion, we’ll delve into the current state of disability representation in The Sims 4. We’ll explore the limitations of the existing options, the potential benefits of improved inclusion, and how the modding community has stepped in to fill the gap.
Let’s dive in and explore how The Sims 4 can evolve to create a more diverse and representative world for all players.
SIMS 4 DISABILITIES: CAS CONTENT
Looking to create Sims with disabilities in The Sims 4? Fantastic! This list introduces some fantastic custom content (CC) collections that broaden the variety of CAS items available in the game.
With these CC options, you can move beyond the limitations of the base game and create Sims with a wider range of abilities. This lets you tell richer stories and ensure a more diverse and representative in-game world that reflects the real world around us.
So, explore these collections and find the perfect CAS content to bring your Sims with disabilities to life!
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THE FUTURE IS ACCESSIBLE T-SHIRTS BY I HEART PUDDING
Base Game Compatible shirts for all body types, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and the need to incorporate it into our future designs.
STEFFEY VELCRO SNEAKER BY MMSIMS
Accessible clothing isn’t typically a focus for standard Sims characters, so there isn’t much CC available with this consideration. Velcro shoes, like these stylish sneakers from MMSims, are perfect for Sims who may have limited mobility or stiffness in their hands, or who can’t tie shoelaces. Plus, they’re super fashionable!
KNEE BRACES BY SUNFLOWER PETALS
Give your Sims the support they need with Knee Braces by Sunflower Petals. This CC adds functional knee braces to The Sims 4, allowing you to create Sims with mobility limitations or a sporty edge.
DISABILITY THEMED CC SET BY TEABAKER SIMS
A small collection of clothing and accessories that may not be needed full-time but are still incredibly helpful and useful to have.
SUNFLOWER LANYARD BY DUDLEY’S TRAILER
Disabilities, like people, come in all forms. Sometimes they aren’t visible or present all the time, but that doesn’t make them any less valid. This sunflower lanyard, inspired by a real-world item, serves as a subtle indicator that the wearer has a hidden disability and may need some extra care or attention.
MEDICAL ACCESSORY SET BY ANOTHER SIMS STORY
This is a small collection of bandages, braces, tubes, and other accessories for Sims of all genders, aged teen and up. The head bandage requires the City Living expansion pack to work.
TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE BY TNS-TS4
A tracheostomy tube is a device that goes from an opening in the front of the neck to the Sim’s windpipe to assist with breathing. It can be connected to oxygen, a ventilator, and other equipment.
NASAL OXYGEN TUBE BY IVKASIMS
Breathe life into your storytelling with the Nasal Oxygen Tube by IvkaSims for The Sims 4. This CC accessory lets you create Sims who rely on supplemental oxygen, adding a touch of realism and representation to your game.
CRUTCHES AND POSES SET BY BELLASIMS
Enhance your Sims’ mobility and storytelling with the Crutches and Poses Set by Bellassims for The Sims 4. This CC pack provides functional crutches and a variety of poses, allowing you to create Sims who use crutches and capture them in realistic scenarios.
FIBERGLASS LEG CAST & SINGLE SHOE BY STARGAZER-SIMS
Add a touch of realism to your Sims’ recovering injuries with the Fiberglass Leg Cast & Single Shoe by Stargazer-Sims for The Sims 4. This CC pack provides a cast for your Sims’ leg along with a single shoe, allowing you to create Sims with temporary mobility limitations.
TS4 LEG CAST & CRUTCH SET BY KUDO RANRAN
While the included leg cast in this children’s set limits shoe options (the cast is attached to a specific shoe style), the crutches and pose can still be used with any outfit! This allows you to create a child Sim using crutches and capture them in different scenarios, even if their footwear choices are restricted.
WALKING CANES BY HISTORICALSIMSLIFE
Lend an air of sophistication or enhance your elderly Sims’ lives with Walking Canes by HistoricalSimsLife for The Sims 4. This creator offers various cane styles, allowing you to add a touch of personality and functionality for your Sims who need extra support.
WALKING STICK BY ALUCKYDAY
Bring a touch of timeless style and support to your Sims with the Walking Stick by ALuckyDay for The Sims 4. This CC adds a classic walking stick accessory, perfect for elderly Sims or those who prefer a more elegant way to navigate the world.
PROSTHETIC LEG ACCESSORY BY QWERTYSIMS
A collection of single and dual leg prosthetics in various categories, designed to seamlessly integrate with your Sim’s other CAS content.
PROSTHETIC LEGS BY A3ANO_013 (REUPLOAD BY EILEEN, CONVERTED FOR KIDS BY LUNA LOBA SIMS)
Expand your options for creating Sims with disabilities with Prosthetic Legs by A3ANO_013 (originally by Eileen, converted for children by Luna Loba Sims) for The Sims 4. This CC collaboration offers prosthetic legs for all ages, allowing you to design Sims with a wider range of abilities.
PROSTHETIC LEG BY CLUMSYALIEN
For a more realistic portrayal of amputees in The Sims 4, check out the Prosthetic Leg by ClumsyAlien. This CC adds a prosthetic leg option to the game, allowing you to create Sims with amputations and celebrate diversity in your gameplay.
GASTRONOMY TUBE BY TNS-TS4
Care for your Sims who rely on tube feeding with the Gastronomy Tube by TNS-TS4 for The Sims 4. This CC accessory adds a feeding tube, allowing for more realistic representation of characters with certain medical conditions.
FREESTYLE LIBRE BY ARPEGGI
Manage your Sims’ diabetes with Blood Glucose Monitor by [Creator Name] for The Sims 4. This CC accessory adds a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a small device for characters with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, available for all ages and genders.
COCHLEAR IMPLANT BY TNS-TS4 & NATALIA AUDITORE
Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound for damaged ears, a cochlear implant bypasses the damage and directly stimulates the auditory nerve. This implant is designed for all ages and genders.
LOVE, IN-EAR HEARING AID BY PANDORASIMBOX
This is a discreet hearing aid for Sims aged teen and up, available in a variety of flesh tones to blend with all skin shades.
HEARING AID ACCESSORY BY BELLASIMS
Amplify your Sims’ stories with the Hearing Aid Accessory by Bellassims for The Sims 4. This CC adds tiny but essential hearing aids, allowing you to create Sims with diverse needs and enhance the representation of deafness and hearing loss in your game.
CHILDREN’S HEARING AIDE BY FRUITY-HUMANS
Make hearing loss representation inclusive of all ages with Children’s Hearing Aids by Fruity-Humans for The Sims 4. This CC adds tiny hearing aids specifically designed for children, allowing you to create deaf or hard-of-hearing Sims from a young age.
HEARING AID TODDLER BOTH SIDE ACCESSORY BY EVILQUINZEL
Even the littlest Sims can benefit from the gift of sound! EvilQuinzel’s Hearing Aid Toddler Both Side Accessory for The Sims 4 allows you to create toddlers with hearing aids, ensuring your gameplay reflects the experiences of deaf and hard-of-hearing children from the very beginning.
WHITE CANE & POSES BY TNS-TS4
This is a unique cane accessory featuring a marshmallow tip, suitable for both children and adults. It also includes a set of 7 poses for each age group.
WHITE CANE BY STUDIO K CREATION
This cane accessory, located in the rings category, is essential for any Sim with partial or complete vision loss to help them navigate their surroundings.
CLOSED EYE PRESET BY GENGAR USED LICK
A preset with one closed eye, designed for use behind an eyepatch. It can also be used without the eyepatch if you don’t mind occasional clipping.
BROKEN EYES & EYEPATCH BY C-CEREBUS-SIMS-S
While there isn’t currently a gameplay effect for blindness in The Sims 4, Broken Eyes & Eyepatch by C-Cerebus-Sims-S adds a dramatic touch. This CC lets you create Sims with a mysterious eye patch, perfect for pirates, warriors, or characters with a hidden past.
BLIND EYE OVERLAYS BY TEANMOON
Partial or full vision loss can occur for various reasons, and this overlay allows you to represent these conditions in your Sims game.
SIMS 4 DISABILITIES: PET STUFF
If you have the Cats & Dogs EP, you might find the following CC useful. Whether your pet is a service animal for your own disabilities or has disabilities themselves, we have something for them.
HEIÐR EYES BY MILKFLOWER
Enhance your Sims’ visual uniqueness with Heiðr Eyes by Milkflower for The Sims 4. These CC eyes feature heterochromia, a condition where each iris is a different color, adding a striking touch to your Sims and potentially reflecting real-world conditions like Waardenburg syndrome.
PET EYES MODIFICATIONS BY WYATTSIMS
Unleash your creativity and design truly unique furry companions with Pet Eye Modifications by WyattsSims for The Sims 4. This CC pack offers a variety of eye color and design options for your cats and dogs, letting you craft pets with captivating gazes and even explore unusual looks.
THREE LEGGED FURRENDS BY WYATTSIMS
Bring your love for special needs pets into The Sims 4 with Three Legged Furrfriends by WyattsSims. This ingenious CC mod allows you to create three-legged cats and dogs, letting you design furry companions that reflect the inspiring resilience of real-life animals.
SERVICE DOG HARNESSES AND BANDANAS – SIMLISH VERSION BY STURMFALKE
This collection features vests and bandanas for dogs of all sizes to identify them as service animals, available for download here. Sturmfalke also created a version for service cats and an English version of the dog vests and bandanas.
SIMS 4 DISABILITIES: BUY/BUILD ITEMS
Along with decorative items, we have several functional pieces of CC to introduce disabilities more realistically into the world of The Sims.
ANIMATED BASE GAME RIDEABLE WHEELCHAIR VEHICLE BY NECRODOG
While not perfect, the Functional Wheelchair by [Creator Name] offers a big leap in accessibility for The Sims 4. This CC mod allows teen Sims and older to use a wheelchair, though animations and usable areas might be a bit limited. It’s a great option for players who want to create Sims with disabilities and have more inclusive gameplay.
ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR & POSES BY TNS-TS4
While there are many manually-operated wheelchairs for The Sims 4, electric or motorized wheelchairs are much rarer. This set includes an electric wheelchair (found in sculptures) and 4 poses for adult Sims.
DECO CRUTCHES BY CURMUDGEON-LAB
Adorn your Sims’ homes with everyday items that reflect disabilities with Deco Crutches by Curmudgeon-Lab for The Sims 4. These decorative crutches add a touch of realism and personalization to your builds, especially rooms used by Sims with mobility limitations.
DIABETIC SUPPLIES BY COATISIMS
Manage your Sims’ diabetes with style! Diabetic Supplies by CoatiSims for The Sims 4 adds decorative insulin pumps and glucose monitors. This CC lets you create diabetic Sims and enhance the realism of their daily routines.
MEDICATION & HEALTHCARE REDUX BY AROUND THE SIMS
This CC comes in two forms. The deco objects include items such as an epipen, Ventolin inhaler, and various prescription and OTC medications. Additionally, the Healthcare Redux Mod overhauls the game’s health system, adding features like prenatal care, chronic conditions, and vaccinations.
SIMS 4 DISABILITIES: POSES
WHEELCHAIR POSES BY RATBOYSIMS
Elevate your storytelling with Wheelchair Poses by RatboySims for The Sims 4. This CC pack provides a variety of poses specifically designed for Sims in wheelchairs, allowing you to capture them in realistic and engaging scenarios.
SERVICE DOG POSES BY QUIDDITY
A set of 5 poses for a Sim in a wheelchair with their (large) service dog. We particularly appreciate this pose set for its portrayal of various aspects of a disabled person’s life.
DANCE ME TO THE MOON POSEPACK BY SIMPEACHIE
Individuals with fatigue or mobility issues might be able to stand and walk for short periods but rely on a wheelchair when their energy is depleted. They are often overlooked or judged as not needing their mobility aids because they don’t always appear visibly disabled. This thoughtful pose pack features a Sim who, despite using a wheelchair, can get up to share a romantic dance with her partner.
TRANSFERRING TECHNIQUES BY ATASHI77
A collection of poses showcasing the process a wheelchair-using Sim goes through when transferring from their chair to a sofa or bed.
BSL POSE PACK BY LYPSEWHIMS
Promote inclusivity in your Sims’ communication with the BSL Pose Pack by Lypsewhims for The Sims 4. This CC pack allows you to create Sims using British Sign Language (BSL) poses, enhancing storytelling and representation for deaf or hard-of-hearing characters.
ASL TODDLER VERSION BY PUDDIN|SIMS
Encourage early communication for your deaf or hard-of-hearing toddlers with the ASL Toddler Version by Puddin|Sims for The Sims 4. This CC pack offers adorable poses featuring basic American Sign Language signs, perfect for bringing sign language to life in your gameplay.
ASL STORY POSES BY SIMXIETY
This creative CC pack for The Sims 4 offers a collection of poses specifically designed for American Sign Language (ASL) storytelling. Capture your Sims engaged in meaningful conversations, dramatic arguments, or heartwarming moments – all through the expressive language of ASL. With ASL Story Poses, you can enhance the representation of deaf and hard-of-hearing characters in your game and create truly immersive stories.
ASL POSES BY STARRIESIMSIE
Expand your Sims’ communication options with ASL Poses by StarrieSimsie for The Sims 4. This CC pack provides a variety of American Sign Language poses, allowing you to create realistic and expressive interactions for deaf or hard-of-hearing Sims in your game.
CONCLUSION
As we’ve explored, The Sims 4 offers a wealth of customization options, but there’s room for growth in disability representation. While the base game lacks dedicated features, the modding community has stepped in with fantastic Custom Content (CC) that expands the possibilities.
From prosthetics and wheelchairs to hearing aids and ASL poses, these CC options allow players to create Sims with a wider range of abilities and experiences. This fosters a more inclusive and realistic gameplay experience that reflects the beautiful diversity of the world we live in.
While CC offers a great solution, it’s also a reminder of the potential for The Sims 4 to do more. Hopefully, future updates from EA will include official features that enhance accessibility and representation for players with disabilities.
