Lack of Quality Affordable Adaptive Clothing Causes Barriers for Disabled
Author: University of Missouri
Published: 2016/06/27 - Updated: 2025/08/25
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Findings
Category Topic: Assistive Technology - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This report, authored by researchers from the University of Missouri and published in a quality-reviewed outlet, explores how the lack of quality adaptive clothing, in particular affordable adaptive clothes, creates significant barriers for people with disabilities, impacting their ability to participate fully in community life. Drawing on focus group interviews, the study identifies three main categories of apparel-related obstacles: mechanical and functional barriers (such as difficulties with zippers, buttons, and ill-fitting clothes), cultural barriers (for example, caregiving challenges influenced by cultural norms), and sensory sensitivity barriers (notably affecting individuals with autism spectrum disorders).
The report illustrates these problems with real-life examples, such as a child with Down syndrome needing safety pins to keep clothes on due to improper sizing, and a caregiver facing cultural restrictions when assisting a stroke survivor. By highlighting these challenges, the research underscores the urgent need for affordable, mass-produced adaptive clothing, making the information especially useful for designers, policymakers, caregivers, and anyone seeking to improve accessibility for people with disabilities and seniors.
The authority of the report is reinforced by its academic authorship, publication in a reputable journal, and its selection for quality review due to its relevance to the disability community - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
The U.S. clothing industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, but for the millions of Americans with disabilities and their families, a lack of options in the apparel industry presents daily challenges. Now researchers from the University of Missouri are looking at the relationship between apparel and marginalization for people with disabilities.
Main Content
Allison Kabel, assistant professor of health sciences in the School of Health Professions, found that the lack of adequate, accessible apparel created barriers for people with disabilities from engaging in their communities. She identified the need for innovation in design, production, distribution and sale of adaptive clothing.
"While it may be an afterthought for some, clothing and appearance are not trivial," Kabel said. "What we wear matters in how we participate in our communities. Job interviews, court appearances, team sports and formal events are just a few examples of times when standards for appropriate dress exist. For people with disabilities, the lack of adaptive clothing is not just a burden, it is a barrier for community participation."
Kabel and Kerri McBee-Black, instructor of textile and apparel management in the College of Human Environmental Sciences, analyzed interviews from a focus group on the topic of clothing and how clothing impacted their lives. The key findings from this study identified apparel-related barriers for people with disabilities that fall into three basic categories: mechanical and functional barriers, cultural barriers, and sensory sensitivity barriers.
The mechanical aspects of getting dressed were found to be a significant challenge for people with disabilities and their caregivers. Zippers, buttons, shoe laces and fabric texture often present challenges for those who live independently. Others reported problems when trying to find clothes that fit. In one example, a child with Down syndrome had to have her clothes attached with safety pins to prevent them from falling off, due to a mismatch between her body proportions and current clothing industry sizing.
Cultural issues present other obstacles for caregivers for people with disabilities.
A female caregiver for a male stroke victim from South Asia struggled to care for him when he lost his ability to put on or take off his own shoes or socks due to nerve damage. This was due to cultural prohibitions around the touching of feet. Focus group participants also identified challenges from trying to dress children of all ages with sensory sensitivities, particularly those with disorders along the autism spectrum.
"Participants of the focus group had no shortage of examples to highlight apparel-related barriers in their day-to-day lives," Kabel said. "In many cases, the only options are custom-made clothing, which is not accessible due to high costs. Affordable clothes that can be mass produced are necessary to address specific apparel-related barriers identified in our research."
About The Research Study
The study, "Apparel-Related Participation Barriers: Ability, Adaptation and Engagement," recently was published in Disability and Rehabilitation. Jessica Dimka, research fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan also contributed to the study. Kabel's future research will be focused on the potential for universally-designed apparel and adaptive clothing.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The ongoing lack of accessible, affordable adaptive clothing without inflated price tags, especially in Canada, is not just an inconvenience - it is a persistent barrier to social inclusion, independence, and dignity for millions. As the fashion industry continues to innovate, integrating universal design principles and listening to the lived experiences of disabled individuals will be crucial for creating clothing that is not overpriced and truly serves everyone. The intersection of clothing and disability is more than a matter of fashion - it's a matter of access, dignity, and inclusion. As this research illustrates, the apparel industry must recognize the diverse needs of all individuals and innovate accordingly. By prioritizing adaptive design and affordability, society can take a significant step toward removing barriers that have long marginalized people with disabilities. The issue of bloated prices underscores the need for broader industry adoption, regulation, and potential policy intervention to ensure adaptive clothing is truly inclusive and available to all who need it - without the "specialty tag" price gouging trend by unscrupulous stores - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Missouri and published on 2016/06/27, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.