Clothing is one of the basic physiological necessities for an individual apart from food and housing. The human civilization has witnessed many changes in fashion over the years, and people have been adapting promisingly to these changes with time. However, the question is, does the same apply for people with disabilities? The answer is a clear ‘NO’! People with disabilities do not have substantial options like able individuals due to limitations on their mobility and cognitive functioning.
So, adaptive clothing for people with disabilities has emerged as a promising option that could help them in staying comfortable as well as updated with the latest fashion trends. The following discussion would explicitly outline the significant trends in the market of adaptive clothing for disabled individuals as well as the ways to make clothing more accessible to them.
Trends in the market in clothing for the disabled:
The total value of the global market of adaptive clothing was estimated at 278.87 billion USD in the year 2017. This sector is poised to depict a growth rate of 4.1% over the period from 2018 to 2026. The primary focus of notable players in this market is directed towards the provision of stylish as well as fashionable clothing options due to the increasing demand of such clothes.
The reason for the increasing demand has been found in the increasing rates of disabilities in children and adults all over the world especially in the cases of geriatric or obese people. The demand for adaptive clothing has not only increased due to their relevance for disabled people but also their fashion appeal. This can also be noticed in the introduction of a diverse assortment of stylish adaptive clothing for children and adults with disabilities by renowned brands such as Tommy Hilfiger.
Take note of the following!
It is clearly evident that clothing is a prominent avenue that helps and individual to express their style, identity, and creativity. So adaptive clothing for disabled people should be used with emphasis the on the following pointers for making them more accessible.
•The elements of comfort and safety should be the priorities for choosing adaptive fashion items. These factors are essential to ensure that the clothes are aptly suited to the range of mobility of the disabled individual and could be used along with other support equipment such as wheelchairs or crutches.
•Make sure that the pockets in the piece of selected clothing are placed at the front in order to facilitate easy access in any position.
•People who have disabilities and are required to stay on bed rest for longer periods of time could make the most of clothing for disabled that can open easily from the side.
•It is also essential to check the fabric of the piece of adaptive clothing selected for a disabled individual. This is mandatory in order to refrain from any sensory issues such as skin irritation or allergies. Examples of sleeker fabrics, as well as weighted vests, could be taken into account as appropriate choices in such cases.
The choice of an appropriate clothing item for people with disabilities would most likely be subject to confusion in the near future due to the rapid growth in the sector of adaptive clothing. Therefore, research and access to appropriate sources of information can help in making the right decision!