Countering clothing ableism: Understanding the lived experiences and identifying inclusive clothing design solutions for adolescents with mobility impairments
Summary
This study explores the clothing-related experiences of adolescents with mobility impairments to identify inclusive design solutions that support comfort, independence, and social participation while reducing ableism
Researcher(s)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sally Lindsay
Co-Investigator: Rushmita Alam
Call to action
Is your child/youth aged 10–19 living with a mobility impairment? Consider participating in a research study aimed at understanding clothing challenges and co-designing inclusive clothing solutions that promote comfort, independence, and social participation.
Who can participate
Adolescents with mobility impairments:
- Adolescents: ages 10-19
- Self-diagnosed with mobility impairment. These include, but are not limited to, amputation, paralysis, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, arthritis, and spinal cord injury. Many types of orthopedic or neuromuscular impairments can impact mobility. Mobility impairments range from lower body impairments, which may require the use of canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, to upper body impairments, which may include limited or no use of the upper extremities and hands
- Cognitive capacity to participate, able to communicate in English or with help from an interpreter or communication device
- Live in Ontario
Parents or Caregivers:
- Parent or caregiver of an adolescent aged 10-19 who has a mobility impairment
- Able to communicate in English or with help from an interpreter or communication device
- Live in Ontario
Clinicians:
- With at least one year of experience working in children’s rehabilitation
- Cognitive capacity to participate, able to communicate in English or with help from an interpreter or communication device
- Currently practice in Ontario
Funding agency
This research is funded by the SSHRC partnership development grant and Kimel Family foundation, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
What's involved
Participants will take part in a 1-hour interview (online or in-person) to talk about their experiences with clothing—what works, what doesn’t, and what they wish clothing could do better. Later, they may be invited to a focus group discussion with clothing designers to help come up with inclusive clothing ideas.
Deadline
Interested in participating
If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Rushmita Alam at ralam@hollandbloorview.ca or call 416-425-6220 ext 3654
