Advancing Adaptive Fashion for People with Disabilities
Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted New York State’s efforts to advance adaptive fashion for people with disabilities, including the forthcoming Adaptive Clothing Grant Program through the state’s Fashion Innovation Center. First announced as part of Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State, the program is currently in development and is expected to launch in January 2027 to support designers, entrepreneurs and researchers developing clothing that is sittable, wearable, accessible, fashionable and functional for people with disabilities.
“New York Fashion Week sets trends that reach around the world, and New York is working to ensure the future of fashion includes everyone,” Governor Hochul said. “Through this new grant program, we will support designers and entrepreneurs who understand that clothing can be accessible, functional and fashionable at the same time. By investing in adaptive fashion and the people developing it, we are helping break down barriers for New Yorkers with disabilities while continuing to strengthen New York’s leadership in fashion and innovation.”
Approximately one in four New Yorkers lives with a disability, yet people with disabilities have historically had fewer options for clothing that combines accessibility and functionality with style. The Adaptive Clothing Grant Program, first proposed as part of Governor Hochul’s 2026 State of the State and funded in the FY27 Budget, will support innovative approaches to fashion that better serve different bodies and abilities while prioritizing wearability, personal expression and style. The program is currently in development and expected to launch in January 2027.
The program builds on New York State’s $10 million investment to establish the Fashion Innovation Center. Supported through Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, known as NYSTAR, and led by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Fashion Innovation Center connects researchers, designers, manufacturers and industry partners to advance innovation across New York’s fashion and textile industries.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is investing in innovation that responds to real-world needs while creating new opportunities for designers and entrepreneurs. Through NYSTAR and the Fashion Innovation Center, we are connecting New York’s creative talent with the expertise and resources needed to turn innovative ideas into products that can reach the marketplace. This new grant program will help designers rethink how clothing is made so that accessibility, wearability and style are part of the process from the start, strengthening a fashion industry that works for more New Yorkers.”
New York State Chief Disability Officer Kim Ridley said, “Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression, yet for far too long, millions of individuals with disabilities have been excluded from mainstream clothing options. Events like the Runway of Dreams fashion show demonstrate what is possible when design centers on equity and inclusion. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is taking proactive steps through the Adaptive Clothing Grant Program at the Fashion Innovation Center to help ensure inclusive apparel moves from a niche market into every storefront and closet across our state. I was proud to make this announcement at the Runway of Dream’s Fall Fashion Week show on Monday on behalf of the Governor and I cannot wait to see and experience all this grant program will offer people with disabilities.”
New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said,“Everyone deserves clothing that works for them and allows them to express who they are. Governor Hochul’s investment in adaptive clothing reflects the simple but important principle that people with disabilities should not have to adapt themselves to a world that isn’t designed with them in mind. We should be designing our world, including clothing, to work for everyone. Fashion is about more than function, it is about identity, self-expression, choice and belonging. People with disabilities deserve the same freedom as anyone else to choose clothing that reflects who they are and how they want to present themselves to the world.”
Runway of Dreams Founder Mindy Scheier said, “For over a decade, Runway of Dreams has fought to prove that inclusive and adaptive fashion is a necessity, not a trend. Having Governor Hochul highlight the Adaptive Clothing Grant Program at our New York Fashion Week show validates the critical need for inclusion in the apparel industry. New York State is setting a powerful global example by recognizing that true fashion includes everyone, and this initiative will pave the way for real, lasting change for millions of people with disabilities.”
New York Fashion Innovation Center Product and Marketing Director Susan Easton said, “Great design begins with understanding the person you’re designing for. With these grants, we want to support a more inclusive approach to fashion innovation — designing with, not just for, people with disabilities. By bringing lived experience together with designers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs, we have an opportunity to create clothing that works better, feels better and gives people more choice in what they wear.”
Fedcap Group President and CEO Christine McMahon said, “Governor Kathy Hochul’s investment in the Adaptive Clothing Grant Program marks a pivotal moment for accessibility and innovation in New York. This announcement, made at Fedcap’s Runway of Dreams landmark New York Fashion Week show on September 14, demonstrates that fashionable, accessible and adaptive clothing design is not a niche — it is an essential frontier for human dignity, independence and economic opportunity for people with disabilities.”
Adaptive Clothing Grant Program
The FY 2027 Budget includes $60,000 for the Adaptive Clothing Grant Program through New York State’s Fashion Innovation Center. The program is currently in development and is expected to launch in January 2027. Once launched, it will provide grants to designers and entrepreneurs developing innovative and fashionable adaptive clothing for people with disabilities. Additional program and application details will be made available ahead of the program’s launch.
The Runway of Dreams Foundation’s annual Fashion Revolution event brings together designers, major retail brands, advocates and students to highlight adaptive clothing for individuals with physical, sensory and developmental disabilities. The organization works to expand representation and opportunity for people with disabilities throughout the fashion industry and demonstrate the potential of adaptive and universal design.
The initiative is part of Governor Hochul’s broader commitment to expanding accessibility for all New Yorkers, which includes a $5 million investment secured in the FY27 Budget to establish a new Assistive Technology Innovation Center dedicated to developing technologies that empower people with disabilities and older adults to live independently.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
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