Retail stores and designers across the country are venturing into clothing designed specifically for people with disabilities, but adaptive clothing is far from universally available. This summer, the Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival (CTDFF) asked Austinites with disabilities, what are some challenges you have with clothing and dressing? It became clear that there were many overlapping problems: getting dressed and undressed; pants not fitting over braces and assistive devices; never being able to find shoes that look good AND function.

Following a focus on adaptive fashion at the Fest (more on that below!), CTDFF and Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas) continue the discussion in a Sunday morning panel! Pictured: Designer Vanessa Villalva of Ronkita Design and model Tanya Winters prototyping a custom garment.

Panelists include:

• Stephanie Thomas, Disability Fashion Styling Expert & Founder of Cur8able
• Vanessa Villalva, professional seamstress, designer, and co-founder of Ronkita Design
• Dr. Aisen Chacin, medical device designers at Maker HealthSpace at UTMB
• Mimi Hau, Adaptive Fashion Challenge model
• Moderator: Jennifer Bracy, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities and independent filmmaker

Brunchy snacks provided!

Adaptive Fashion at the Cinema Touching Disability Film Fest: To explore the achievements and possibilities of the adaptive fashion movement, CTDFF’s Saturday night program includes films and appearances from essential players: Runway of Dreams, Mindy Scheier, RJ Mitte, and Stephanie Thomas. We’ll also debut designs from our own CTDFF Adaptive Design Challenge, plus screen the world premiere of SEW ADAPTIVE: A DOCUMENTARY EXPLORING ADAPTIVE FASHION. Tickets for this event at www.ctdfilmfest.org.

Financial Support is provided by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, with Federal funds* made available by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities. *$6,816 (89%) DD funds; $804 (11%) non-federal resources.