Photo: Young wheelchair user in a green setting with a somewhat more extravagant outfit; Copyright: PantherMedia/spongePo

Topic of the Month March 2020

Comfort meets functionality – fashion for people with disabilities

Whether Velcro fasteners, magnetic buttons or slightly wider legs for the prosthesis or orthosis – when it comes to fashion for people with disabilities, there are many details to consider. These vary greatly depending on the type of disability. What requirements wheelchair users and people of small stature have and how the clothing industry reacts to them, you can find out in our Topic of the Month March: Comfort meets functionality – fashion for people with disabilities.

Untapped potential: Fashion created for people with disabilities

Photo: Arm of a wheelchair user next to the wheelchair wheel. She is wearing a jacket with special fabric on the sleeve; Copyright: Daniela Luquini

Inclusive design, adaptive fashion – there are many terms that describe this phenomenon in German and English-speaking countries. But what are the features of (great) fashion designed for people with disabilities? And is clothing for wheelchair users and little people still an untapped market? REHACARE.com took a closer look at the fashion industry.

Click here for the article

"AUF AUGENHOEHE is the only company in the world that offers fashion for little people"

Photo: Various little models posing in the clothes of AUF AUGENHOEHE; Copyright: Anna Spindelndreier

People come in many different shapes and sizes. Nevertheless, standard clothing sizes can give us a reference point when we buy clothes. And now, this is finally also an option for little people – thanks to ready-to-wear fashion from AUF AUGENHOEHE. In this interview with REHACARE.com, company founder Sema Gedik reveals how this up-and-coming label wants to parlay its everyday fashion ideas into increased participation and inclusion in the fashion industry.

Click here for the interview with Sema Gedik

Fashion for wheelchair users – functional, comfortable, diverse

Photo: Samanta Bullock in her wheelchair at the beach. She is wearing a chic red dress; Copyright: Lawson Filho

Pants, jackets or dresses – if you use a wheelchair, you inherently have a different perspective on clothing compared to other fashionistas who are able to walk. Fashion-conscious wheelchair users have to first find companies or labels that not only meet functional and adaptive clothing requirements, but also cater to their sense of fashion and style.

Click here for the article about fashion for wheelchair users

Video: Online fashion show: Adaptive fashion for people with and without disabilities

If fashion is practical and also keeps up with the latest chic trends, it has achieved its goal. We present pictures of two fashion labels that combine great style and functionality and make it work in everyday life and not just for wheelchair users and people of short stature.

Gif animation: REHACARE 2023 from 13th to 16th September 2023 in Düsseldorf/Germany, linked to "More information about the Trade Fair"