The author gave the market of eyewear as an example in which fashion and disability overlap. As a user of glasses, I used to think that wearing glasses was unfashionable and hence, in a broader sense, thought that disability and fashion were two separate things. However, nowadays, with emphasis on fashion and appearances, disability goes well along with fashion. Therefore, people with bad eyesight look for glasses that not only provide vision but also style. In this way, customers in the eyewear market do not have to stress about giving up either vision or fashion. Furthermore, the eyewear market has expanded so much to the point where people without vision disability wear glasses for fashion. The term “fashion glasses” is used to identify products in the eyewear market that are intended to attract customers who wish to buy glasses for fashion. I think the eyewear market is a great example that shows how incorporating both fashion and disability not only benefits the producers by maximizing their profit but also the customers who obtain clear vision and style.
Innovating designs for people with disability pushes people to develop various skills. Hearing aid devices, for instance, are being designed for disability where discretion is still a priority. Therefore, many designs try to conceal the devices or make them invisible when in use. Technological miniaturization is constantly used to make devices invisible for the user’s comfort. In this way, in an attempt to create designs for people with disability, technological advancements can be made and new skills can be obtained. One downside, however, of technological advancement is that it is often costly. Therefore, extra effort and time must be invested to bring out the best in the process.
In short, the reading made me realize the embracement of fashion. Fashion designers collaborate with designers who create products for people with disability to allow customers to enjoy comfort and style. Through the exploration of developing designs, new skills and technological advancements can be obtained which is good for both the producers and consumers. The reading helped me appreciate the developments that does not force me to give up one over the other and helped me realize that we can get a hold on both.