Celebrate the rise of accessible design it benefits everyone

"Fashion is a vocabulary. Clothing communicates parts of who we are, what we are interested in and how we want to be seen. It reveals choices that we make but it also exposes lack of choice. I am a disabled woman; I have dwarfism. My disability and stature is obvious and often shapes a first interaction. I've learned to love scouring through rails of clothes in high street stores and charity shops,"

"I know that if there are patterns or embroidery near the shoulder or ankle of a garment, altering it won't work. I've found that jeans and trousers have to be elasticated at the back so they go over my hips with ease and don't gape at the back. I've also learned that dresses and skirts should have an asymmetrical hemline to accommodate the curve in my spine."

"As I've got older, I've discovered that many of these alterations don't just work for me, but would also improve comfort, independence and dressing for most people. Accessible design is better design. To show you what this looks like in action: I recently had the pleasure of attending a dinner to mark Jannik Sinner's return to Wimbledon. Beforehand, I was nervous. I wanted to wear something that would instil confidence, be comfortable and allow me to move about with personality and dignity. I chose"

Fashion functions as a vocabulary that communicates identity, interests and desired public perception. A disabled woman with dwarfism experiences an obvious stature that often shapes first interactions and requires tailored clothing solutions. Practical alterations include avoiding patterns or embroidery near shoulders or ankles, elasticating trousers' back waistbands to fit hips, and using asymmetrical hemlines for spinal curvature. Many such adaptations enhance comfort, independence and dressing for a broad population; accessible design yields better overall design. Custom garments can provide proportional pockets, thoughtfully placed buttons and easier fastenings; step-free stores with varied rail heights improve shopping accessibility.

Read at www.theguardian.com