[ INTRODUCTION ]

The outdoor clothing industry has failed disabled people. It’s time for something new. UN [ PARA ] LD (unparalleled) exists to challenge the idea that outdoor access is niche or only for certain bodies.

Outdoor and alpine clothing is still largely designed for non-disabled bodies. While the global adaptive clothing market is growing fast (valued at around US $15.8 billion and projected to reach nearly US $30 billion by 2031), most innovation focuses on everyday clothing. Specialist gear for outdoor and alpine sports has been left behind.

For many disabled people this means outdoor clothing that doesn’t fit, doesn’t function or actively prevents participation. People are forced to adapt garments themselves, rely on expensive custom solutions or give up on outdoor activities.

The problem

This isn’t a lack of interest.
It’s a lack of design.

Clothing that doesn’t work for your body stops you from taking part. You’re not choosing to opt out – you’re being excluded.

Most of us are only ever temporarily non-disabled, whether through age, injury or illness. Designing for disabled people ultimately benefits everyone.

Why it matters

‘1.3 billion people live with a disability, which is nearly a quarter of the population. That’s not niche – that’s mainstream.’

WHO, 2023

[ ABOUT ]

What is UN [ PARA ] LD?

UN [ PARA ] LD is a community-led, collaborative initiative launched by design consultant Alice Sainsbury, backed by former Team GB Paralympians and developed in collaboration with Re-Action Collective.

Diagnosed with transverse myelitis in 2015, Alice experienced first-hand how little the outdoor industry had considered disabled bodies and how clothing alone can determine whether participation is possible.

UN [ PARA ] LD doesn’t have all the answers. Instead, it asks a necessary question:

What would outdoor clothing look like if it truly worked for disabled bodies?

A motion blur image of adaptive ski-ing on a snow-covered mountain with a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
A close-up image of a skier in adapted outdoor clothing. 
[ OUR MISSION ]

  • UN [ PARA ] LD is not creating new garments from scratch.

    Instead, it works with existing outdoor and alpine clothing, adapting and reworking it across a growing global network to meet the real needs of disabled bodies. This approach recognises that vast amounts of high-quality outdoor clothing already exist - they’re simply not usable by everyone.

    The process is deliberately simple:

    • Start with what already exists

    • Listen to lived experience

    • Make practical changes that enable access

    UN [ PARA ] LD brings together disabled people, athletes, designers, and makers to learn in the open, test ideas and share what works.

  • Early work includes:

    • Adaptive snowsports clothing prototypes

    • A growing open-source toolkit of design insights, adjustments, and lessons learned

    This knowledge is shared so others can build on it – not locked away as a finished product.

    When equipment works for your body, participation becomes possible.

  • UN [ PARA ] LD officially launches at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympics, using the global stage to highlight an issue that extends far beyond elite sport.

    Access to the outdoors should not depend on whether the industry has decided you’re worth designing for.

An adaptive skier rides down snowy terrain in a red jacket and black helmet with motion blur.
A close-up of an adaptive skier in black helmet and reflective ski goggles, with a red jacket, outdoors on a sunny day. 
[ an open COLLECTIVE ]

Contribute

Transparent, community-led funding for adaptive outdoor apparel

UN [ PARA ] LD is hosted on Open Collective to transparently fund and grow a community-led initiative reshaping outdoor clothing for disabled people. The platform lets us pool support, manage funds openly and involve everyone – from para-athletes to designers, in building adaptive, inclusive outdoor apparel designed with lived experience, not just for it.

FIND OUT MORE 
[ JOIN US ]

Get involved

UN [ PARA ] LD is an open project and it needs more voices, experiences and skills.

We’re inviting the following:

  • Disabled people who spend time outdoors (or want to)

  • Athletes and outdoor enthusiasts

  • Designers, makers and repairers

  • Allies who care about access and inclusion

Join focus groups, collaborative sessions and future project phases as we work together to challenge the status quo.

Register your interest by clicking on the button below and completing the online form.

JOIN US