Krysha Lee, a third-year occupational therapy student, is breaking new ground with a capstone project that blends occupational therapy and apparel design.

This innovative project centers on collaborating with the U of A apparel students through OT educational modules that encourage a holistic approach to garment creation, prioritizing functionality, fashion and psychosocial well-being. 

Lee's passion for apparel and sewing, combined with insights into the needs of wheelchair users in Northwest Arkansas, inspired her to pursue this capstone project at the U of A Apparel Production Course. Beginning in the fall 2023 semester, Lee worked closely with apparel students, guiding them on how to incorporate psychosocial factors and holistic perspectives into their clothing designs.

During an informal meeting with professor Stephanie Hubert from the U of A Apparel Merchandising Program, she highlighted the knowledge gap apparel students have on how to create clothing that balances both functional and psychosocial needs. Hubert also highlighted that when her students collaborated with occupational therapy, she noticed a significant shift in her students' perspectives as they embraced a holistic approach, began making more informed decisions and grew confident in their designs.

In the Advanced Apparel Production course taught by Hubert, apparel students were assigned to create a garment based on their inspiration. Additionally, the majority of the students were inspired to create garments for individuals with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, diabetes, schizophrenia and Down Syndrome.

Under the mentorship of Kandy Salter, director of the Occupational Therapy Program, and Hubert, Lee created multiple OT modules that focused on OT principles (holistic approach, evidence-based practice, client-centered care and interdisciplinary collaboration) within the context of apparel design and the core values from Fink's Significant Learning Principles.

By including real-world applications, narrative learning activities and encouraging research, these modules guided apparel students in creating adaptive clothing that promotes comfort, accessibility and style. After students completed all the OT modules, positive feedback was provided to the OT student including how the modules provided them with increased knowledge and valuable skills.

The significance of this interdisciplinary collaboration highlights the powerful impact of two educational programs working together across colleges to address real-world challenges. By combining therapeutic insights of occupational therapy with the creative expertise of apparel design, this partnership fosters a more holistic approach to clothing design, benefiting both professions.

Not only does this collaborative effort enrich students' education, but it also strengthens community involvement by developing apparel that meets the functional and psychosocial needs of individuals with disabilities. This capstone demonstrates how unique interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to innovative, community-centered solutions that make a difference.