Perceived Risk and Information Sources Used by Wheelchair-Bound Consumers in Clothing Purchase Decisions

Abstract

Disabled consumers confined to wheelchairs represent a special consumer group for clothing manufacturers and retailers. They have special clothing needs and may perceive different risks associated with clothing purchases than do able-bodied consumers. The purpose of this study was to examine information seeking behavior, types of perceived risk—economic, performance, physical, psychological, and social—and the relationship between information seeking and risk associated with clothing purchases of 75 wheelchair-bound consumers. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the five types of risk and overall risk and the relationship between types of risk and information sources used. Perceived physical risk ranked highest and perceived social risk ranked lowest for the respondents. Performance and social risk were significantly correlated with overall risk at the.05 level. However, the correlation of various types ofrisk with the use ofspecific information sources was not significant except for a negative correlation between social risk and neutral information sources. Information sources most often used by respondents were mail order catalogs and family members. Those with cogenital disability perceived higher overall risk than those with acquired disability.More than 35 million Americans have some form of physical or mental disability (Shapiro, 1982). This segment of the population has received increased attention over the last decade because a greater number of disabled people are better educated and employed in meaningful jobs. Clothing has become important to them since they are more actively involved in communities.Disabled people confmed to wheelchairs represent a special consumer group for educational and marketing efforts related to clothing. They not only have specialized clothing needs involving fit of clothing in a seated position and ease in dressing but also may encounter accessibility problems when shopping and may perceive different risks associated with clothing purchases than do able-bodied consumers. Insight into the clothing-related risk perceptions and the information-seeking patterns of disabled consumers can promote more effective communication by educators and marketers.Clothing is essential to an individual's physical, psychological, and social well-being. Physically, clothing specifically designed for the disabled person allows independence in dressing and fulfills altered needs of comfort and safety

Apparel Acquisition for Consumers with Disabilities: Purchasing Practices and Barriers to Shopping

“…Apparel information sources most often used to make apparel purchase decisions by this consumer group included family members, friends, mail order catalogs, newspapers, and salespersons (Koester & Leber, 1984;O'Bannon, Feather, Vann, & Dillard, 1988). Additional sources used included rehabilitation personnel, teachers, and support groups (Lamb, 1985).…”

“…Many European countries provide information about clothing for people with special needs through charitable and government-sponsored central clearing houses (Howard & Jenkins, 1991). Economic concerns such as price were found to be the primary information sought by consumers with disabilities (O'Bannon, Feather, Vann, & Dillard, 1988). Economic concerns such as price were found to be the primary information sought by consumers with disabilities (O'Bannon, Feather, Vann, & Dillard, 1988).…”

“…Economic concerns such as price were found to be the primary information sought by consumers with disabilities (O'Bannon, Feather, Vann, & Dillard, 1988). In addition, an acceptance of the status quo in regard to satisfaction of clothing availability was noted by Feather, Martin, andMiller ( 1979), Miller (1980), and O'Bannon, Feather, Vann, and Dillard (1988). In addition, an acceptance of the status quo in regard to satisfaction of clothing availability was noted by Feather, Martin, andMiller ( 1979), Miller (1980), and O'Bannon, Feather, Vann, and Dillard (1988).…”

“…For example, O'Bannon, et al (1988) sampled consumers in Missouri who used wheelchairs. For example, O'Bannon, et al (1988) sampled consumers in Missouri who used wheelchairs.…”

Exploration of the Environmentally Sustainable Apparel Purchase Decision-Making Process

“…Although the body of scholarship focused on environmental sustainability (ES) and the apparel and textile industry is ever expanding, there remains a paucity of literature on understanding the decision process consumers engage in when acquiring ES apparel. Research that does detail aspects of the apparel-purchase decision process typically focuses on a specific market segment such as wheelchair-bound apparel consumers (O'Bannon et al, 1988) or consumers of innovative apparel products (Ko et al, 2009). Narrowing in on the sustainable apparel-purchase decision process, very few studies exist.…”