It is particularly important for disabled youth to feel that they belong. Apparel Availability Finding appropriate, functional, and attractive self-help clothing is difficult. A need exists for specially designed clothing for the disabled to be manufactured and marketed. Although the number of Americans with disabilities is large, manufacturers are reluctant to mass produce this specialty clothing. In a helpful trend, manufacturers are offering more styles that can be worn by both nondisabled and disabled consumers.
Examples are wraparound skirts and some action wear.
In the early 1980's, several Japanese firms adopted ideas for the slightly disabled to develop clothing for the disabled. Some of the garments produced were raincoats, pajamas, shirts, and underwear. These garments are still being sold in various parts of the world, but they cost about 30 percent more because of their sewing techniques. For example, to allow for greater freedom of movement, a pleat can be created at the back of a sleeve, or an inverted pleat can be made in the side seam of the knee area. Adapting commercial clothing for the disabled could be a worthwhile club project.