Apri – fashionable aprons for kids with special needs
A few years ago I met Shlomit Gofer, a product designer who specializes in textiles. Shlomit develops and designs products that have an impact and we decided to try and develop a better bib for mealtime. Why? Simply because there aren’t age-appropriate bibs on the market that cater to older children – both in look and functionality.
Most bibs are designed for toddlers or adults. The bibs available for children over 5, that we found, didn’t meet our needs. They weren’t esthetic and they weren’t comfortable to wear, nor practical for the caregiver. Often, in places that care for children with special needs, staff make do with adaptations, such as using towels or other available fabrics.
Shlomit came up with a few designs and we happily tried them out with our students and gave her feedback. A while later, we met Tzachi Shasha, an entrepreneur, now the product manager of Apri, and the rest is history.
After a few years of trialing various prototypes, the Apri bibs have arrived! Bibs that give the impression of a t-shirt but that are easily washable and comfortable to wear. The bibs come in a variety of designs (with or without sleeves, plain or with a design, various colors, etc). and can be washed by hand or in the washing machine. The material is durable and can last through months of use.
The staff of The Technology Center and of The School for Special Education at Beit Issie Shapiro played an active role in the design and trial process and we are grateful to have been able to contribute to the development of such an important product and to have met such wonderful partners along the way 🙂
Visit the Apri website for more information and to see their designs.
Our staff and students love them. We hope you do too!
Sleeveless, dark blue with pink, character in light blue
Short Sleeves, olive green with white, character in yellow
Sleeveless bib, view from behind
Long Sleeves, pink with white, no character
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