AFL Supports Dressability to Improve Clothing

30/01/2013

Swindon, UK and Spartanburg, SC, USA – AFL presented Dressability a £1,565 grant made possible by AFL’s Community Outreach Program. Dressability has been providing alterations services for people with physical disabilities and learning difficulties since 1998. The grant will provide equipment essential dressmaking and clothing alteration services.

“Dressability aims to make life easier by making their clothing work better for people with physical disabilities,” stated Sian Barrie, manager and cofounder of Dressability. “Most garments are designed for mobile people of standard sizes who have a normal body shape. Due to a wide range of disabilities, our clients do not fall into these categories. For example, zips and buttons are difficult to manage for people with dexterity problems and pulling clothes over the head is awkward for those with limited mobility in neck and shoulders.”

For people with physical and/or learning difficulties, young people with behavioural difficulties and their family or carers, the daily activity of dressing and undressing can be painful, time-consuming, frustrating and stressful. Last year, Dressability helped 473 people between the ages of four and 93 in the Swindon and surrounding areas.

“Dressability provides valuable services for people who have difficulties with standard ‘off the rail’ shop clothing, but who still deserve to have the same choice of style and elegance,” stated Margaret Harman, AFL HR & EHS manager in Swindon. “The funding will provide for a new cutting table and four sewing machine chairs for the dressmakers. We are excited to be able to support their endeavours and make an impact for the organization and its clients.”

AFL’s Community Outreach Program evolved in response to needs in the communities where there are operations. AFL is committed to being an exemplary corporate citizen. AFL’s outreach program consists of several initiatives – all with the same goal: to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Through grants, engagement programs, environmental initiatives and more, AFL imagines communities that are strong and thriving. For more information on AFL and its community initiatives, visit www.AFLglobal.com.

About AFL:
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, OEM, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewable and intelligent grid. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes fibre optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL’s service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting inside plant central office, EF&I, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.
 
Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com. 
 
Contacts
Joanne Lawrence
Public Relations EMEA
AFL
(44) 1793 647200
Joanne.Lawrence@AFLglobal.com

Corie Culp
Public Relations Manager                                    
AFL
864.433.5409
Corie.Culp@AFLglobal.com