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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore why the traditional apparel design process has failed to meet the needs of people living with disabilities, and why current disability design processes have not been successfully implemented into the apparel industry. This study followed Rosenblad-Wallins (1985) user-oriented design process to discover dialysis patients wants and needs related to apparel, using in-depth semi-structured interviews, observations, and a design researchers notebook. This study expanded on the user-oriented design process to alter symbolic values to aesthetic values. Functional and aesthetic values aided with creating designs using mass customization options for men and women. Two prototypes with options were created, which shows that the user-oriented design process and mass customization are viable design processes to implement into industry.