Brand Designing for Inclusivity: Patricia’s Insights
All my life, I have wanted to design clothing because it is hard to find clothes that sit well with being in a wheelchair. For example, dresses can be too long and get caught in the wheels, so I always buy short dresses. Or pants with messages on the bum, which are not visible when you sit all the time. The most common issue I have is when shirts have the message on the back, and no one can see it due to my backrest on my wheelchair.
This personal experience inspired me to create two brand designs made for people in wheelchairs. Therefore, for our first line, we put the phrase "Taking the 'dis' out of disability" on the front, so people can actually see it if you are in chairs. Our brand designs focus on placing messages where they can be seen and appreciated by everyone. The Ability Company is all about inclusivity, and this includes our branded merch. We are committed to fighting barriers and ensuring that everyone is heard and represented. Our goal is to adapt our designs to fit everyone, not just the majority.
Styles can speak volumes, so even if you aren't in a wheelchair, consider purchasing one of our clothing items with the message on the front to show unity. A small change in the placement of a message on a piece of clothing can mean so much more. It signifies understanding and accepting our differences, and changing stereotypes, one article of clothing at a time.
We are looking for all ways to include everyone, even with our clothing. We are actively looking into embroidering braille on our merchandise. Stay tuned for more updates and innovations as we continue to make accessibility mandatory, and that includes our clothing line.
Our journey began with a simple idea: to create stylish clothing with important messages, but also functional for people with disabilities. We believe that everyone deserves to feel confident and comfortable in what they wear. This belief drives us to constantly innovate and improve our designs.
Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. Our mission is to create a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy the same opportunities and experiences. We hope to spread meaningful messages on our branded merchandise, so it will spark conversations we desperately need to be able to change how we think about disabilities and roles of caregivers!
As we continue to grow, we are exploring new ways to enhance our products. We are researching innovative materials and technologies that can further improve our brand. We are also expanding our range to include more options for different types of disabilities.
We invite you to join us on this journey towards inclusivity. Whether you have a disability or not, you can support our mission by wearing our clothing and spreading the message of acceptance and understanding. Together, we can create a more inclusive world, one piece of clothing at a time.
