Clothes for kids with disabilities get better, but teens see a lack of fashionable options

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Clothing options for children with disabilities have improved over time, thanks to the efforts of advocates like Mindy Scheier, who started making adaptations for her son, Oliver, with muscular dystrophy when she couldn’t find suitable jeans for him. The Runway of Dreams Foundation and Gamut Management have been working with major U.S. brands and retailers to promote adaptive clothing. Despite the progress, teenagers like Oliver still face a lack of fashionable options, as the industry has focused more on younger kids and adults.

To address this issue, it is essential for designers and retailers to involve people with disabilities in the design process. Adaptive clothing should consider specific needs, such as hidden openings for medical devices, ease of dressing, and comfort for wheelchair users. Various brands, including Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Target, No Limbits, Billy Footwear, and others, have embraced adaptive fashion, but there is still room for more companies to get involved.

One of the challenges lies in catering to a diverse range of disabilities, such as sensory processing issues that require softer fabrics and no tags. However, the goal is to offer adaptive options that appeal to both those with disabilities and the able-bodied, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in fashion.

As more than 60 million adults and over 3 million children live with disabilities in the U.S., there is a significant market opportunity for companies to invest in adaptive clothing. Nonprofits like Open Style Lab are working to educate the next generation of designers on inclusive design, while brands like No Limbits aim to fill the gap for older kids who often find limited options as they age out of kids’ sizes.

Despite the progress, there are still unique challenges for caregivers of completely dependent individuals with disabilities. For instance, finding adaptive clothing that accommodates gastrostomy bags can be difficult. However, overall, the shift towards inclusive fashion is helping to normalize and celebrate children with disabilities.

In conclusion, the fashion industry has made strides in improving adaptive clothing for kids with disabilities, but there is a need for more fashionable options for teenagers. The key lies in involving people with disabilities in the design process and catering to diverse needs, while also considering the financial opportunity and positive impact of making fashion accessible to all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about adaptive fashion

More about adaptive fashion

• Runway of Dreams Foundation: Website
• Gamut Management: Website
• Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive: Website
• Target Adaptive Clothing: Website
• No Limbits: Website
• Billy Footwear: Website
• Open Style Lab: Website
• JC Penney Adaptive Fashion: Website
• Adidas: Website
• Inclusive Design: Article
• Disability Statistics in the U.S.: Source