Clothing Design to Accommodate Physical Disabilities and Irregularities
CLOTHING DESIGN TO ACCOMMODATE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND IRREGULARITIES
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies. The amount and type of clothing worn depends on functional considerations (such as a need for warmth or protection from the elements) and social considerations. In some situations the minimum amount of clothing (such as covering of a person's genitals) may be socially acceptable, while in others much more clothing is expected.
Clothing can serve as protection from the elements. Clothes can also enhance safety during hazardous activities such as hiking and cooking, by providing a barrier between the skin and the environment. Further, clothes can provide a hygienic barrier, keeping toxins away from the body and limiting the transmission of germs. The quality of life for disabled and elderly people can in many cases be substantially improved by a better choice of good looking and functional clothing and other textile products.
Disabilities often lead to special functional requirements of clothing and other textile products in living environment. Persons with highly sensitive skin have to consider the skin contact or tactile properties and avoid clothing with hard seams. For wheelchair users and for persons lying prolonged time in bed, who have a relatively low heat production, the thermal comfort properties are important. The transmission of moisture (sweat) from the skin is also a frequent problem. Also the mechanical durability of the materials in certain parts of the products can be a problem in many cases. It is not only the needs of an individual but also the different types of care provided for that individual which will dictate the performance requirements for garments and textiles i.e. home care, care at a service home, institutional and hospital care have different requirements.
Adaptive Clothing- Modified
Clothing refers to any covering for the human body that is worn. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic and is a feature of nearly all human societies. The amount and type of clothing worn depends on functional considerations (such as a need for warmth or protection from the elements) and social considerations. In some situations the minimum amount of clothing (such as covering of a person's genitals) may be socially acceptable, while in others much more clothing is expected.
Clothing can serve as protection from the elements. Clothes can also enhance safety during hazardous activities such as hiking and cooking, by providing a barrier between the skin and the environment. Further, clothes can provide a hygienic barrier, keeping toxins away from the body and limiting the transmission of germs. The quality of life for disabled and elderly people can in many cases be substantially improved by a better choice of good looking and functional clothing and other textile products.
Disabilities often lead to special functional requirements of clothing and other textile products in living environment. Persons with highly sensitive skin have to consider the skin contact or tactile properties and avoid clothing with hard seams. For wheelchair users and for persons lying prolonged time in bed, who have a relatively low heat production, the thermal comfort properties are important. The transmission of moisture (sweat) from the skin is also a frequent problem. Also the mechanical durability of the materials in certain parts of the products can be a problem in many cases. It is not only the needs of an individual but also the different types of care provided for that individual which will dictate the performance requirements for garments and textiles i.e. home care, care at a service home, institutional and hospital care have different requirements.
Adaptive Clothing- Modified