Features - Rain Poncho - Epiphany Design

Rain Poncho Rain Poncho Features

For active, self-reliant wheelchair or scooter users to solve the problem of getting caught in a sudden rain when out shopping or exploring.

Feature
Benefit
Rationale

Option:
Headrest Zipper.
Allows a poncho to be used on a wheelchair that has a headrest. Zips from two directions, tightening up around the headrest stem keeping out water. Many children and adults with multiple disabilities have headrests on their wheelchairs as well as belts to hold them in. The belts make the process of putting on a jacket very difficult and the headrest means that they can't use a regular poncho. Epiphany Design solves both of these problems with one simple design.

Option:
Reflective tape.
Greater visibility. Epiphany Design realizes that active, independent people want/need to be out at night as well as in the day.

Feature:
Tie-downs.
Keeps wind from blowing front of poncho up in front of the face. Two grommets at the bottom of the extended front can be attached behind the ankles or to the chair with two small bungy cords that come with the poncho when this option is ordered.

Extended front (to ankles.) Keeps legs dry. A generous amount of material covers the knees and right down to the ankles. Total protection is important to a wheelchair user who is stuck in a downpour, especially since shelter is limited by the fact they have no access to most buildings. It is doubly important given that they will probably have to make their own way home since access to public transportation is also very limited. Toronto, for instance, requires one day’s advance notice.

Velcro tabs on cuffs. Stops cuffs from getting snagged.

Keeps out wind and water. Large, dangling cuffs are good for ease of donning but present the possibility of getting caught on gizmos and gadgets that may be part of an ambulation system, i.e. the brakes levers on a manual push chair or the steering joystick of a power wheelchair. The Epiphany Design poncho does up tight to the wrist, keeping out the weather and leaving nothing dangling to get caught.

Draw string pulls hood close to face.
Keeps out water.

Preserves peripheral vision. Consistent with the high level of functionality that is typical of Epiphany Design. This rain poncho is designed to protect the wearer from weather in real-life situations.

Flannelette-lined hood. Keeps ears dry and cozy. Other people's research has shown that comfort is the most important consideration in most clothing purchases. This feature is also important in establishing superior value. An Epiphany Design poncho is not a throw-away item.

Short, wide, cuffed sleeves. Easy to get your hands through.

Allows maximum freedom for the hands while minimizing exposure of the arms. With a regular sleeveless poncho, if you want your arms covered, you must limit the use of your hands. If you want to use your hands then your arms must be exposed. The Epiphany Design poncho's sleeve extends a short distance from the body of the poncho. The sleeve opening is wide at the body to guide one's hand toward the cuff and fasten around the wrist so that the arms cannot become uncovered, but the hands are always free.

Available in a variety of bright colours. Makes people feel happy. Conveys a sense of dynamism. Appealing to children.

"Inside-out pocket"/carrying bag.
Conserves storage space while keeping rain poncho available when not in use. People who use wheelchairs and scooters as their primary means of locomotion need to carry things (groceries etc.). Since space is limited, there is value in compactness. The Epiphany Design rain poncho has a pocket attached that the entire poncho can fold into for storage. The resulting bundle has a loop attached with a sliding buckle so it can hang in a handy location. It doesn't need to take up space in one's wheelchair back-pack and it can be within easy reach if needed in a hurry.

Available in child, teen or adult size. Virtually everyone can have protection from the rain. Since these garments are very generous in material there is no need for many sizes.

Feature	Benefit	Rationale
Option: Headrest Zipper.	Allows a poncho to be used on a wheelchair that has a headrest.	Zips from two directions, tightening up around the headrest stem keeping out water. Many children and adults with multiple disabilities have headrests on their wheelchairs as well as belts to hold them in. The belts make the process of putting on a jacket very difficult and the headrest means that they can't use a regular poncho. Epiphany Design solves both of these problems with one simple design.

Option: Reflective tape.	Greater visibility.	Epiphany Design realizes that active, independent people want/need to be out at night as well as in the day.

Feature: Tie-downs.	Keeps wind from blowing front of poncho up in front of the face.	Two grommets at the bottom of the extended front can be attached behind the ankles or to the chair with two small bungy cords that come with the poncho when this option is ordered.

Extended front (to ankles.)	Keeps legs dry.	A generous amount of material covers the knees and right down to the ankles. Total protection is important to a wheelchair user who is stuck in a downpour, especially since shelter is limited by the fact they have no access to most buildings. It is doubly important given that they will probably have to make their own way home since access to public transportation is also very limited. Toronto, for instance, requires one day’s advance notice.

Velcro tabs on cuffs.	Stops cuffs from getting snagged. Keeps out wind and water.	Large, dangling cuffs are good for ease of donning but present the possibility of getting caught on gizmos and gadgets that may be part of an ambulation system, i.e. the brakes levers on a manual push chair or the steering joystick of a power wheelchair. The Epiphany Design poncho does up tight to the wrist, keeping out the weather and leaving nothing dangling to get caught.

Draw string pulls hood close to face.	Keeps out water. Preserves peripheral vision.	Consistent with the high level of functionality that is typical of Epiphany Design. This rain poncho is designed to protect the wearer from weather in real-life situations.

Flannelette-lined hood.	Keeps ears dry and cozy.	Other people's research has shown that comfort is the most important consideration in most clothing purchases. This feature is also important in establishing superior value. An Epiphany Design poncho is not a throw-away item.

Short, wide, cuffed sleeves.	Easy to get your hands through. Allows maximum freedom for the hands while minimizing exposure of the arms.	With a regular sleeveless poncho, if you want your arms covered, you must limit the use of your hands. If you want to use your hands then your arms must be exposed. The Epiphany Design poncho's sleeve extends a short distance from the body of the poncho. The sleeve opening is wide at the body to guide one's hand toward the cuff and fasten around the wrist so that the arms cannot become uncovered, but the hands are always free.

Available in a variety of bright colours.	Makes people feel happy.	Conveys a sense of dynamism. Appealing to children.

"Inside-out pocket"/carrying bag.	Conserves storage space while keeping rain poncho available when not in use.	People who use wheelchairs and scooters as their primary means of locomotion need to carry things (groceries etc.). Since space is limited, there is value in compactness. The Epiphany Design rain poncho has a pocket attached that the entire poncho can fold into for storage. The resulting bundle has a loop attached with a sliding buckle so it can hang in a handy location. It doesn't need to take up space in one's wheelchair back-pack and it can be within easy reach if needed in a hurry.

Available in child, teen or adult size.	Virtually everyone can have protection from the rain.	Since these garments are very generous in material there is no need for many sizes.