Universal Design for Visually Impaired Individuals Based on Clothing Experiences Via Netnography

The aim of this study is to use netnography to investigate visually impaired individuals' clothing experiences and propose directions for universal fashion development. This study utilized 31 YouTube videos related to the clothing life of visually impaired individuals as analytical data. The script was transcribed using Naver Clova, and text mining and qualitative coding were conducted using Python 3.8 and the MAXQDA program. Analysis of visually impaired YouTubers' vlogs clarified the differences in perspective regarding clothing between visually impaired and sighted individuals and revealed that visually impaired consumers prioritize functionality and practicality over clothing aesthetics. Furthermore, in exploring topics such as clothing purchase habits, utilization, management, and technological elements, this research highlights salient aspects of visually impaired individuals' clothing experiences and underscores the need for design and technological enhancements to reflect these needs. Ultimately, aspects such as soft texture, convenient maintenance, the use of dark colors in design, offline stores and online accessibility, services supporting product identification, and the necessity of educational programs were identified as crucial for enhancing the fashion environment for visually impaired individuals. We anticipate that the study's findings will be both academically significant and offer practically applicable in the fashion landscape, helping to enhance visually impaired individuals' fashion experiences.