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Access Apparel

How the apparel industry can better serve people living with disabilities

WHAT WE DO

Inclusive innovation for a market overlooked by design 

Over 28% of the U.S. population — about 93 million people — lives with a disability.

At Oregon State University, the Access Apparel research initiative is transforming how the apparel industry approaches accessibility — moving from afterthought to innovation driver. Through community partnership, rigorous research and hands-on student experience, the project creates solutions that improve autonomy, expand market opportunity and shift industry practices toward inclusive design.

Explore the project

RESEARCH APPROACH

Key research tenets

Access Apparel employs a multi-year, multi-phase research methodology aggregating knowledge from across the nation. This approach aligns with Oregon State University's commitment to discoveries that drive solutions, generates knowledge that transforms industry practice and improves quality of life. 

PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH

We partner WITH people with disabilities as co-researchers — not studying them, but collaborating with them. An advisory board of community members will guide research priorities and validate findings, ensuring solutions address real needs.

RIGOROUS INVESTIGATION

Using mixed-methods research including surveys, interviews, ethnographic observations, co-design workshops and longitudinal user testing, we're generating peer-reviewed knowledge that advances both disability studies and apparel design. 

FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT

Every design solution is evaluated with industry partners for manufacturing feasibility, cost implications, and market viability. This ensures research translates to implementable solutions bridging the research-to-market gap. 

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

All findings, design patterns, and implementation guidelines are shared openly via our project website, serving as a public resource for designers, brands, retailers and consumers.  

WHAT'S NEXT?

Growing the conversation

A national conversation about adaptive apparel is growing — but major questions remain: 

  • What do users actually need?
  • Which solutions are feasible for industry?
  • And how do we design for a wide range of abilities and lived experiences? 

Access Apparel brings together people with disabilities, designers, businesses and OSU students to answer these questions through research that is: 

MEASURING SUCCESS

Making an impact

Research that creates value at multiple levels

For people with disabilities

  • Greater autonomy in clothing use and daily life
  • A voice in shaping industry standards
  • Better access to information and design solutions

For the apparel industry

  • Evidence-based design guidance
  • A clear pathway to serve an underserved market
  • Competitive advantage through inclusive innovation

For students

  • Applied research experience with real social impact
  • Professional skills in design, research, business analysis, and collaboration

For society

  • Increased equity and economic opportunity
  • Advancement of inclusive design as cultural norm

Student opportunities

Access Apparel provides students with hands-on experience at the intersection of business, design and social impact, preparing them for careers that require innovation, empathy and systems thinking.

Contact us for more information.

Hands-on learning

Apply design, research and business strategy to real accessibility challenges in the apparel industry.
Students collaborate across majors using participatory research, inclusive design principles, data analysis and feasibility assessment.

Research opportunities

Dive deeper through honors theses and research assistantships that advance adaptive and accessible apparel.
Students lead projects in market analysis, e-commerce accessibility, prototype testing, literature reviews and partner coordination.

Career skills

Build a portfolio and gain the competencies needed for impact-driven work in inclusive design.
Students develop skills in human-centered research, design thinking, feasibility analysis and project management.

JOIN US

Research partners & collaborators

We are actively building partnerships with people with disabilities, disability advocacy organizations, researchers, adaptive apparel brands, mainstream apparel companies interested in inclusive design and manufacturing partners. If you're interested in collaborating, please contact principle investigator and assistant professor of apparel design, Bolanle Dahunsi, Ph.D. 

This research is supported by the College of Business and Office of Research Advancement at Oregon State University. 

We are actively seeking additional funding to expand the scope and impact of this work. Potential funders interested in supporting research at the intersection of market innovation and social impact are encouraged to contact Bolanle Dahunsi.