Paralympic uniform featuring accessibility modifications launched at Australian Fashion Week

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Australian Paralympic team uniform was unveiled at Australian fashion week, showcasing some unique design modifications to make it more accessible for athletes.

Transcript

00:00 For myself, our Paralympic trials aren't until next month, so a couple of weeks away, which

00:06 relatively is quite close to the actual games.

00:09 So it can be really hard, I guess, during the tough training to be like, "Why am I still

00:15 doing this, putting myself through it?"

00:16 But when you can actually see it in person, it becomes that little bit more tangible.

00:20 And it's so exciting to see everyone together.

00:24 And I love, obviously, representing my country, and it's something I definitely want to do

00:28 this year.

00:29 Alicia Patterson, I'm sure you can guess her spot.

00:32 It is possible to create inclusion, accessibility in fashion as well.

00:37 We're athletes first and foremost, but we want to be able to look good and feel good

00:42 to do our best on the world stage, and showcase to the rest of the world too that you can

00:46 be an athlete, enjoy fashion, and perform at your best on the world stage.

00:51 It just really gives that confidence and exudes those Paralympic values of loyal, proud, and

00:56 fierce.

00:58 And obviously you've mentioned about the adaptable changes to the uniform.

01:02 How is that impacting your ability to wear the uniform?

01:06 Absolutely.

01:07 I think the inclusive features and the accessibility really makes it so much better for everyone.

01:12 I think accessible fashion definitely has a long way to go, but has come so far.

01:18 And it doesn't just benefit people with a disability.

01:22 It makes life easier for everyone.

01:24 So it makes you question, "Why wouldn't you want to do that?"

01:27 To start with, I know for myself, I have cerebral palsy on the left side of my body.

01:32 I also have a few other neurological conditions, which makes fine motor tasks very difficult.

01:37 So tying shoelaces, zips, little things like that really makes...

01:44 The little things you don't think about in a day-to-day basis, but can really impact

01:49 you and your confidence.

01:50 So to be able to have zip shoes, magnetic jackets, all those little things enables you

01:56 to feel confident in yourself and your ability to represent your country and feel good while

02:04 doing it.

02:05 Now we're just over 100 days out from the Games.

02:08 How's prep going?

02:09 It's going really well.

02:10 Obviously, we're in incredibly hard training at the moment, and that doesn't stop.

02:15 Our Paralympic trials are just under a month away in Brisbane in June.

02:20 So we're very excited, looking forward to that.

02:23 And then obviously the Paralympic Games are just over 100 days away.

02:28 So the hard work definitely doesn't stop.

02:30 It's only just getting started.

02:31 But I'm really excited to just see what I can do, do my best, and do myself, my community

02:38 and my family proud.

02:38 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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