Spoonie Threads has always relied on the knowledge from people with disabilities and chronic illness when designing our products. We do not create anything without extensive input from end users. In our early days we used volunteers but as we grew, we needed to formalize this program to build a consistent group of product testers and compensate them for their expertise. So, we created the Adaptive Fit Consultant program!

What do they do? Consultants assist with the concept development, design, fit, and function of new products. An initial phone call will provide an overview of the position and a discussion of what challenges the tester has with clothing or accessories. From there we explain how testers are matched to specific products.

Who Can Apply? Anyone with a chronic illness or disability is welcome to apply--parents can apply for their child. Seeking consultants for the following sizes, from any gender:

• Adult 3X

• Adult Medium

• Child size 6

• Toddler size 2T

• Infant size 9 months

Parents or Guardians with children who meet the above requirements can become fit consultants on their child’s behalf. Any consultant under the age of 18 must have parental consent. Parents or Guardians of children who require help dressing should expect the same time commitment as if they were the fit consultants themselves.

What Are The Specific Duties and Responsibilities Of An Adaptive Fit Consultant? 

• Consult with the team on new product designs through virtual design meetings.

• Review fabrics, notions, and trims that need to be accessible both virtually and in person.

• Try on and wear prototypes for 1-3 days (depending on item), gather feedback and share with design team, either virtually or in person.

• Share videos and photos of prototype being worn with company design team.

• Evaluate multiple rounds of prototype iterations and share feedback with design team.

Which Medical Devices, have disabilities, or chronic illnesses Are You Looking For In Consultants?

• Feeding tubes (G tube, J tube, G/J tube, PEG tube, G-button, NGT)

• Ostomies (Colostomy, Ileostomy, Urostomy, ACE button, cecostomy)

• Insulin Pump users (monitoring device placed on arm or leg, or pump with catheter to abdomen)

• Central Venous Lines (Ports, Broviac, PICC lines, Dialysis catheters)

• Peritoneal catheter patients

• People undergoing surgical recovery (Mommy Makeovers, Breast surgery, Shoulder surgery, Heart transplant or Thoracic surgery, Abdominoplasty)

• Wheelchair users and/or ambulatory wheelchair users

• Amputees with or without prosthetics

• People with limited dexterity in their hands or limbs

• People with limited ability to dress themselves

What Is The Time Expectation For This Position? This position is a contract role, and projects will come on a rolling basis. Some consultants may test just 1 product a year, others may test multiple times per year, depending on what new products we are working on.

• Virtual or in-person meetings may take 1-2 hours at a time and will be conducted during business hours (Monday – Friday between 9am-5pm central time).

• We will work with consultants to find a good time that works with your schedule during business hours.

• Prototype testing should be done promptly upon receipt of product and feedback session will be scheduled within 1 week of testing completion.

• Some products may require multiple rounds of prototype testing.

• There will be several weeks of time in between design meetings and rounds of prototype testing due to the lead time to make product samples.

What Is The Compensation?

• Consultants will be paid $25/hr for virtual meetings and fittings.

• A prototype testing fee of $100/sample will be paid for each sample product the consultant wears.

Ready To Apply? Contact saba@spooniethreads.com and let us know more about you and your interest in this position.