Inclusive Apparel Design Framework for Accommodating Clothing Needs of People With Different Levels of Reach, Dexterity, and Mobility Capabilities
Abstract
Most apparel design solutions for people living with disabilities would be challenging to mass produce because of (a) high product costs and (b) relatively low demand due to the limited population size of people living with specific types of disabilities (Carroll & Gross, 2010). To solve this issue, a holistic design approach is required to ensure clothing for PLWD meets their needs and can be mass-produced (Kosinski et al., 2018; Martins & Martins, 2012). In this study, we proposed Inclusive Apparel Design Framework (IADF), focusing on the following capability types associated with the use of apparel products: (a) reach and dexterity and (b) mobility. Depending on the level of difficulty in using apparel products, we adopted the inclusive design cube terminology to describe respective design strategies: (a) user-aware design, (b) modular design, and (c) special-purpose design. User-aware design aims at “pushing the boundaries of 'mainstream' products to include as many people as possible” (Keates & Clarkson, 2003, p. 92). The greater inclusivity can be achieved by designing products usable by as wide population segments as possible. The proposed Inclusive Apparel Design Framework promotes inclusive design with the goal to develop products that satisfy the needs of diverse user groups.
Keywords: Inclusive design, People living with disabilities, User-aware design, Modular design, special-purpose design, Inclusive Apparel Design Framework
How to Cite:
Cho, S. & Karpova, E. E., (2022) “Inclusive Apparel Design Framework for Accommodating Clothing Needs of People With Different Levels of Reach, Dexterity, and Mobility Capabilities”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13729