Fashion and inclusive design: assistive technologies applied to clothing

Abstract

The present work reports the results of a research project carried out by the Textile Engineering Department at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Blumenau, Brazil). The project’s main objective was to develop inclusive apparel textiles, meeting the different bodies and biotypes of people with or without disabilities. Contributing to the development of assistive technologies applied to clothing. Thus, in 2018, an inclusive fashion collection was developed for people with physical disabilities, co-produced with the members of ABLUDEF - Blumenau Association of Physically Disabled. The methodology used was based in a bibliographic research, deepening the approached themes in the project, as design and inclusive fashion, assistive technologies, and accessibility, as well as field research, conducted with ABLUDEF members. Among the final results, the garments made for the project were highlighted and modeled at the 6th South Brazil Awards for Inclusive Fashion, in Florianopolis (Brazil).