Accessible Fashion, Part 2: Fashion as Self-Expression

In the second of three episodes on Accessible Fashion, Joeita speaks to Wendy Wong, founder of June Adaptive on her creative choice and journey. Wendy discusses the practicalities of getting her business off the ground, including obtaining feedback from People with Disabilities.

Highlights:

• “Adaptive Clothing for People of All Abilities” – Opening Clip (00:00)
• “You Are What You Wear” - Opening Remarks (04:46)
• Introducing Wendy Wong, Creator of June Adaptive (01:52)
• Inspiration from Aunt June (02:55)
• All About Aunt June (04:43)
• Challenges in Catering to a Niche Community (05:25)
• Making JuneAdaptive.com Accessible (06:57)
• Adapted Clothing Designs: Zipper Sneakers (08:09)
• Grip Socks (08:59)
• Magnetic Button-Down Shirt (10:25)
• Open-Back Tops (11:48)
• Denim Jeans with toggles, loops, thigh pockets, velcro ankle-openings (12:58)
• Process of Creating Adapted Clothing (14:54)
• Ensuring Quality (15:42)
• Collaborating with Suppliers (16:30)
• Evolution of Adaptive Fashion (17:53)
• Universal Design in Clothing (19:19)
• Affordable & Accessible Fashion (21:02)
• Wardrobe Essentials (23:46)
• Adaptive Fashion Goals (25:03)
• Show Close (26:02)

About June Adaptive:

From people frustrated by inaccessible buttons and zippers to people recovering from medical treatments, people living with mobility challenges or disabilities can find fashion solutions at June Adaptive.

We found pieces that helped people in our lives and we hope we can help you too.

“The Start of June Adaptive”

June was more than just a “cool” aunt to our founder Wendy; she was a sister, friend, and a hard-working medical professional who adored her cocker spaniel. Following an accident later in life, June had lost mobility in her arms and legs.

With a fashion background, Wendy wanted to help June maintain her independence and dignity by finding clothing that was beautiful yet functional. To Wendy's surprise, it was nearly impossible to find adaptive pieces that fit into June’s new everyday life.

As life went on, Wendy had found that additional family members had developed mobility challenges, sharing related issues in finding accessible fashion.

After discovering the adaptive fashion space, Wendy wanted to bring back the joy of fashion to people experiencing similar struggles. June Adaptive was created out of an inspiration to provide an inclusive shopping experience for different levels of ability.

Our goal is to create a universally designed experience for more people to shop. We want to make adaptive fashion more accessible because everyone should be able to look good.

Links

Toronto Star - These adaptive fashion designers are making personal style more accessible -

Fashion Magazine - Adaptive Fashion Brands You Should Know About

Seneca Journalism -Making Fashion Fit for Everyone

About The Pulse

On The Pulse, host Joeita Gupta brings us closer to issues impacting the disability community across Canada.

Joeita Gupta has nurtured a life-long dream to work in radio! She's blind, moved to Toronto in 2004 and got her start in radio at CKLN, 88.1 FM in Toronto.

A former co-host of AMI-audio's Live from Studio 5, Joeita also works full-time at a nonprofit in Toronto, specializing in housing/tenant rights.

Find Joeita on Twitter: @JoeitaGupta

The Pulse airs weekly on AMI-audio. For more information, visit https://www.ami.ca/ThePulse/recent_ep...

About AMI

AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through inclusion, representation, accessible media, reflection, representation and portrayal.

Learn more at AMI.ca

Connect on Twitter @AccessibleMedia

On Instagram @accessiblemediainc

On Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc

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Email feedback@ami.ca

Check out the Pulse on YouTube!

About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+

Learn more at AMI.ca

Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online:

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• Email feedback@ami.ca