Have you ever wondered if disabled consumers are excluded from the world of online shopping? Have you ever considered that access to fashion is not equal for all of us? Why is there a huge misconception that people with disabilities are not interested in fashion or its developments?
And yes, the term “adaptive fashion” may become increasingly popular in the fashion industry ‘s effort to become more inclusive. However, even in the light of this effort, the exclusion of people with disabilities is very often evident.
The current system of online shopping and in-store shopping does not allow people with disabilities to feel part of a large and equal group
Of course, online shopping eliminates many of the challenges that people with disabilities face when shopping in physical stores. Finding reliable means of transportation, lack of parking space, lack of elevators or even inaccessible high shelves, are just a few of the limitations that many of our fellow human beings face every day. However, as every currency has two sides, so in this case online shopping often excludes consumers with disabilities.
For example, for a person with vision problems (low vision, color blindness) or dyslexia who uses a screen reader, online shopping can be an extremely problematic and stressful process. The basic reason; Of course the fact that most websites are not compatible with assistive technology. Lack of image description, buttons or links that do not have tags on websites and much more, are a brake on the realization of the purchases of many of our fellow human beings.
At the same time, people with mobility disabilities who can not effectively use a computer input device, such as a mouse, are often excluded due to lack of hand control tools. Also, for a hearing impaired person who needs to make a greater effort to complete the interaction with a video or advertisement, he is often excluded from online shopping due to lack of necessary software. Finally, let’s not forget people with learning disabilities who, in order to have easier access to e-commerce sites, need memory aids and distraction-removing software.
A large share of the responsibility, in terms of website accessibility, is borne by the developers themselves
According to Alex Herold, founder and CEO of Patti and Ricky, an adaptive fashion company for people with disabilities, “accessibility should not be a stressful process, and web developers or developers need to do a better job and learn. the names in the use of the possibilities they have. “I pay for a feature I do not know how to use and that is a problem.”
Let’s take their place for a moment. Imagine that we are a consumer who browses or tries to browse a website but can not learn anything about the product, because they simply do not give it a chance. What would be our move? Obviously we would not like to buy anything from this page. And this is not because we do not want to, but because they do not allow us.
Fashion is an industry that has a huge influence on social, cultural and political life
Its enormous power stems from the fact that fashion is a form of communication. It is a different way of expressing emotions. Fashion is a journey of the soul. That is why a change must take place. Fashion is a culture, and through it the first step to equal opportunities must be taken.
“My hope for the future is that all fashion and beauty websites will have really detailed alternative text”
For Lucy Edwards, Blind Broadcaster, Youtuber and Disability Activist, her only hope for the future is one. What he wants is for all websites to be supported by software that will make the world more human. “I think they need more than the average website, because we have to visualize the garment in our minds. Anything the brands can think of to help create a mental image in our minds would be wonderful. The more creative, the better. “When you do not rely on a mirror every day to look at yourself or do your makeup, the beauty of touch, smell and emotion really guide how I want to spend my money,” says Lucy.
Read more
Which are the 3 signs that are not afraid of change
Leonidas Chatzimichalis: “Wine for me and my brother is part of our lives”
Savoirville
.
