From Barriers to Belonging: Exploring Adaptive Fashion Through Participatory Workshops

Introduction

People with disabilities face daily challenges that often remain invisible in social discourse. Dressing and undressing are frequently restricted by motor limitations, sensory sensitivities, and the lack of adaptive clothing designed with their needs in mind. Beyond independence, these constraints limit opportunities to express identity through fashion and to achieve social belonging. Building on the growing body of research on adaptive fashion and universal design, this study explores experiential approaches to raising awareness of such barriers.

Goals and Methods

In collaboration with the University Center for Accessibility Knowledge (University of Szczecin), I designed and conducted pilot workshops for students. The aim was to enhance empathy, make practical barriers tangible, and generate inclusive design recommendations. Participants interacted with intentionally modified garments that complicated dressing, completed short pre- and post-workshop surveys, and engaged in moderated discussions. Data were analyzed qualitatively, drawing on thematic coding of observations, notes, and participant reflections, in line with participatory and user-centered design methodologies.

Results

Preliminary findings indicate an increase in participants’ empathetic awareness and practical understanding of motor and sensory barriers. Concrete design recommendations emerged, including shifted or magnetic fastenings, graspable elements for easier manipulation, sensory-friendly fabrics, and modular wardrobe concepts. Participants also reflected critically on the tension between functionality and aesthetics, as well as on the broader social meanings of clothing for identity and belonging.

Conclusions

The workshop model demonstrates educational potential for embedding principles of universal design into design curricula and social education. It also emphasizes the need for co-design processes that actively involve people with disabilities, aligning with calls for participatory approaches in inclusive design research. The initiative contributes to the discourse on adaptive fashion and highlights the value of experiential education as a catalyst for changing social attitudes and design practices.