UNIQLO is Wheelchair-Friendly! A Comprehensive Introduction to UNIQLO's Advancements in Accessibility!

Want to dress stylishly, wear clothes that look cool, and purchase cost-effective items...
Many people probably feel this way.

For people with physical disabilities, especially those who use wheelchairs, the selection of clothes is often limited.

If the length or sleeves are too long, they might get caught in the wheels or become dirty.

Everyone wants to dress up easily, and Uniqlo is here to make that wish come true.

We'll introduce Uniqlo, a leader in the fashion industry in terms of barrier-free accessibility.

1. Benefits of Shopping at Uniqlo for Wheelchair Users and People with Disabilities

There are numerous benefits for people with physical disabilities, especially wheelchair users, when shopping at Uniqlo.

Let's explore each of these benefits in detail.

1-1. Fitting Rooms Accessible with Wheelchairs

Most of Uniqlo's fitting rooms are equipped with no steps.

This allows wheelchair users to enter the fitting room and try on clothes without any hassle.

Videos of wheelchair users utilizing Uniqlo's fitting rooms have been widely shared on social media.

Not only manual wheelchair users but also those using electric wheelchairs have expressed their satisfaction with Uniqlo's fitting rooms.

Check out the actual video of the barrier-free fitting room below.

1-2. Many Stores Equipped with Barrier-Free Facilities!

Uniqlo stores have implemented the following measures, giving the impression of advanced barrier-free accessibility.

• Wide aisles to accommodate a large number of visitors
• At least one staff member is always stationed at self-checkout counters nationwide
• Many staff members are available in-store to assist if customers cannot reach clothing items.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Uniqlo is committed to not only technology but also facilities and customer service.

There aren't many stores in Japan as proactive in accommodating barrier-free needs as Uniqlo.

Additionally, Uniqlo stores located in commercial facilities or shopping malls often have no steps at the entrance, and the facility or mall itself frequently offers barrier-free restrooms.

1-3. Online Shopping Available

Even if visiting a store is difficult or purchasing alone is challenging, there's no need to give up.

Uniqlo items can be purchased through their app or official website.

You can leisurely choose from a wide range of products at home and enjoy shopping without leaving your house.

Many wheelchair users prefer to view or try on items in-store and then order online later to avoid carrying items home.

Reference: Uniqlo Official Online Store｜Uniqlo Co., Ltd.

1-4. A Wide Variety of Choices

Uniqlo offers a wide range of designs, prices, sizes, colors, and silhouettes.

Recently, Uniqlo has released many collections like Uniqlo U and UNIQLO : C.

In addition to their own unique clothing, Uniqlo collaborates with many companies and brands.

Anime collaborations have been increasing year by year, gaining popularity among families.

The extensive variety of designs, sizes, colors, and silhouettes at Uniqlo is a symbol of Japan's leading fashion brand.

2. Uniqlo's Initiatives for Thorough Consideration of People with Disabilities

2-1. Special Hours for Wheelchair Users 

Uniqlo has conducted special business hours for wheelchair users at selected stores.

In 2021, this was held at Uniqlo BRANCH Kobe Gakuentoshi and Uniqlo Kichijoji, allowing many wheelchair users to enjoy shopping in-store.

Additionally, at the Ginza store, a service is offered for visually impaired customers, where staff assist with shopping by appointment, including transportation between the station and store if requested.

Check out the video of the store opening with dedicated hours for people with disabilities below.

2-2. Quick Improvements for Barrier-Free Accessibility!

When self-checkouts were introduced, Uniqlo received feedback from people with physical disabilities, especially wheelchair users, such as:

• "The touch panel used during checkout is too high to operate."
• "Even if reachable, the glare makes it hard to see."
• "There isn't a single self-checkout that considers height."

In response, Uniqlo repositioned staff to always be present at self-checkouts.

They also provided reasonable accommodations, such as guiding wheelchair users to staffed registers, significantly reducing such feedback.

Uniqlo's swift response to feedback and requests from those affected was impressive.

2-3. Continuously Improving Services by Listening to Disabled Employees

Uniqlo is also committed to employing people with disabilities.

While the legal employment rate for people with disabilities is 2.3%, the Fast Retailing Group, which operates Uniqlo, achieves 4.89% domestically, more than double the requirement (as of June 1, 2023).

President Yanai's belief that "there are things you can notice because of a disability, and that can be a strength" has led to projects where employees with disabilities collaborate to create services that everyone can enjoy.

The dedicated hours for people with disabilities and the accompaniment for visually impaired customers mentioned earlier are wonderful initiatives born from customer and employee feedback.

3. Introducing Universal Fashion Realized by Listening to People with Disabilities and Hospitalized Patients

Uniqlo has been introducing more user-friendly items by listening to the voices of hospitalized patients.

In particular, front-opening underwear items have been highly rated for their ease of use by many people with physical disabilities and hospitalized patients.

Here, we introduce the front-opening bra, front-opening innerwear, and sanitary shorts as particularly convenient universal fashion items.

3-1. Front-Opening Bra

Typically, bras have hooks on the back.

Without being able to see the hooks, it requires quite a bit of skill to put on alone, especially if you're not used to it.

This is even more challenging if you have limited mobility or are hospitalized, as limited range of motion can make it nearly impossible to wear.

To address this, Uniqlo offers a "front-opening bra" that can be easily fastened and unfastened with snap buttons.

The snap buttons on the front-opening bra are designed for easy fastening and unfastening with moderate strength, and the lack of inner tags reduces skin irritation, making it even more appealing.

Uniqlo's attention to universal fashion is subtly evident in these features.

Reference: Easy to Wear and Comfortable. Items Full of Useful Innovations Chosen by Medical, Nursing, and Care Professionals｜Uniqlo Co., Ltd.

3-2. Front-Opening Innerwear

During hospitalization, there are many opportunities to expose the chest or abdomen for various tests and examinations.

Removing underwear each time can be cumbersome, but front-opening innerwear is convenient for this.

The AIRism front-opening crew neck T-shirt can be easily put on and taken off with snap buttons of moderate strength, similar to the bra.

Additionally, the back hem is longer than the front, making it less likely to expose the back when bending over.

Moreover, the seams and tags do not touch the skin, making it comfortable for long periods in bed.

The meticulous attention to seams in this front-opening innerwear is a result of Uniqlo incorporating feedback from many people with physical disabilities and hospitalized patients from a universal fashion perspective.

Reference: AIRism Front-Opening Crew Neck T-Shirt/8-Sleeve｜Uniqlo Co., Ltd.

3-3. Sanitary Shorts

Uniqlo's sanitary shorts feature a reliable three-layer construction in the crotch area, offering excellent absorbency and waterproof performance.

They can quickly absorb 30ml to 40ml of liquid, and the laminated waterproof film on the water-repellent fabric is also a highlight.

The waterproof sheet is generously sized, and the gusset is designed to accommodate pads with wings, allowing for use with sanitary napkins.

With dry, deodorizing, and odor-eliminating functions, you can stay comfortable without worrying about dampness or odors.

These items have been featured in a special article supervised by Emi Tanaka, CEO of me Corporation, and Dr. Emiko Kawano, a physician, making them highly sought-after items.

Reference: Easy to Wear and Comfortable. Items Full of Useful Innovations Chosen by Medical, Nursing, and Care Professionals｜Uniqlo Co., Ltd.

4. Find Wheelchair-Accessible Fitting Rooms on This Site!

For wheelchair users, the reality is that there are few stores with accessible fitting rooms.

"uni mode" is a well-known site that helps solve this problem by finding wheelchair-accessible fitting rooms.

uni mode introduces not only Uniqlo but also stores like Urban Research Doors and MUJI.

You can also find wheelchair-accessible dressing services and beauty salons.

When looking for wheelchair-accessible fitting rooms in the future, be sure to check out the site below.

Reference: Nationwide Map of Wheelchair-Accessible/Wide Fitting Rooms｜uni mode

5. In Conclusion

This time, we introduced barrier-free information related to clothing and shopping for wheelchair users.

Uniqlo is a brand that not only offers "affordable, stylish, and functional" clothing but also pays attention to barrier-free facilities and customer service.

If you're a wheelchair user looking to buy cost-effective clothing, consider visiting Uniqlo stores or their online shop.

Additionally, there's a service called "Kiyasuku" that makes ready-to-wear clothes easier to put on.

For more about Kiyasuku, check out the article below.

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