Inclusive apparel design framework for accommodating clothing needs of people with different levels of reach, dexterity, and mobility capabilities

Abstract

This study developed inclusive apparel design (IAD) framework to systematically analyse diverse clothing needs of people with different capabilities in reach, dexterity, and mobility, including people living with disabilities. The research critically examined two accessible design approaches, inclusive design framework and universal design framework, focusing on their similarities and distinctions as well as suitability for developing apparel products that cater to the needs of people with different capabilities in reach, dexterity, and mobility. Based on the analysis, three levels of difficulty in using clothing were proposed: (a) from no to minimal difficulty; (b) moderate difficulty; and (c) severe difficulty. For the three levels of difficulty, the IAD framework outlines three respective design strategies: (a) user-aware design, (b) modular design, and (c) special-purpose design. IAD framework can be used to guide future research and practitioner applications to meet the clothing needs of ability-diverse consumers.

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