Adaptive Clothing Design

Resources:

• Read this article about how MIT students designed apparel for a man with a spinal injury.
  
• Read this article about adaptive clothing for someone with a wheelchair
• Silverts Adaptive Fashion
  
• IZ Adaptive

Background
It can be difficult for people with a disability to find clothing that is both accessible and fashionable. Common department stores or big box chains do not carry adaptive clothing.

It's important to learn about people with disabilities. We focus on the PERSON and NOT the disability. Please try to remember that during this lesson. It's important to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Project Description
Your assignment is to work in pairs to create a garment for a child with a disability. We will be working with Ms. Conroy and her students in order to suit the needs of kids who have disabilities.

Steps:

1. Learn about adaptive fashion. 
2. Come up with questions you may have for Ms. Conroy and/or the students.
3. Meet with Ms. Conroy. Be sure to ask lots of questions and find out specifically what she needs.
   
4. Meet with your partner; brainstorm and sketch out 2 different designs.
5. Meet with the class at Joann's fabric to purchase materials as a class (date TBD).
6. Begin your design. 

Guiding Questions:

• What types of clothing do these students need?
• What modifications to current clothes can you suggest?
• What types of clothing would be best (even if it doesn't exist quite yet)?

Grading Criteria

• Design
• Creativity
• Function
• Group habits
• Technical Quality