Nike, a brand synonymous with innovation and performance, has taken a bold and inspiring step forward with the launch of their latest product: an accessible backpack designed to meet the needs of people with low dexterity and other disabilities. This isn’t just a backpack—it’s a testament to how thoughtful design can empower individuals and make everyday life just a bit easier for those who often navigate a world not built with their needs in mind.

Designing with Purpose

At first glance, the backpack exudes the sleek, modern aesthetic Nike is known for, but its true beauty lies in the details. Every zipper, strap, and compartment was reimagined to prioritise ease of use. Large, looped pull tabs replace traditional zippers, allowing users with limited finger strength or dexterity to open and close compartments with ease. Magnetic closures provide a secure yet accessible alternative to traditional fastenings, and adjustable straps can be maneuvered one-handed.

The bag is designed to sit comfortably on mobility devices or to be carried with minimal strain, thanks to its lightweight materials and ergonomic structure. For individuals with visual impairments, tactile markers help locate essential features, and the color schemes were chosen with accessibility in mind, incorporating high-contrast designs.

Empowerment Through Collaboration

Nike didn’t create this product in isolation. The backpack is the result of meaningful collaboration with members of the disability community, ensuring that lived experiences shaped every aspect of the design. Advocates, designers with disabilities, and occupational therapists worked side-by-side with Nike’s team, providing critical feedback and insights.

For Kelsey Anderson, a wheelchair user who participated in the design process, the experience was empowering. “It’s not just about making something functional—it’s about showing that we deserve products that are stylish, functional, and reflective of who we are,” she said.

Challenging the Status Quo

Nike’s new backpack isn’t just an accessory; it’s part of a broader movement to challenge the norm in product design. Accessibility has often been treated as an afterthought, but products like this send a powerful message: inclusion is essential.

“The disability community isn’t asking for special treatment; we’re asking for equal access to the world around us,” said Nathan Ramirez, an advocate for inclusive design. “This backpack is a step in the right direction because it’s not about compromising style or utility—it’s about integrating both seamlessly.”

Celebrating Progress, Calling for More

The launch of the accessible backpack has sparked excitement and hope across social media. Disability influencers and advocates have praised Nike for not only addressing real needs but also setting an example for other brands.

Yet, the work doesn’t stop here. Accessibility must continue to be a priority, not a trend. Products like these prove that inclusive design is possible—and profitable. By investing in diverse design processes, companies have the opportunity to create items that serve everyone, not just the majority.

A Call to Action

Nike’s accessible backpack is more than a product; it’s a symbol of progress. It represents a shift toward a world where people with disabilities are seen, heard, and valued—not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of society.

As disability advocate Grace Rivera put it, “This isn’t just a win for us; it’s a win for everyone. Because when you design for accessibility, you design for humanity.”

Inclusion isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. With this backpack, Nike has taken a stride in the right direction, proving that when we design with empathy, we create a world that works for everyone.

Marks and Spencer, Tubie Kids and Seenin are just a few brands investing in adaptive kidswear

Both big brands like M&S and Etsy as well as more emerging companies like Seenin and Tubie Kids are innovating within the adaptive kidswear market. Whether clothes, accessories or shoes, companies are re-designing everyday items to suit multiple disability needs. Blending fashion with function, here we highlight how each company is approaching this movement.  
 

Special Kids Company

The Special Kids Company was founded by Sasha Radwan, who spent time in the Middle East, only to see first-hand how children with special needs were hidden from society’s view there. This inspired her to launch her company, which stocks multiple brands of adaptive wear for kids. Featured on her online store are Scratch Sleeves dungarees, specially designed adaptive clothing for children with autism, eczema and post-surgical healing. And there are wheelchair accessories by brands including Bundle Bean and My Buggy Buddy. Think organisers, cup holders and those all-important rain covers. 

© Seenin

Seenin

Founded by Lucy Carr-Seaman, whose daughter, Hester, was born with a rare agenesis of the corpus callosum named Aicardi syndrome, Seenin is the answer to Lucy’s struggle to find exactly what she needed to make Hester and her life more comfortable. Seenin stocks everything from aprons and bibs to seamless socks and weighted blankets. There’s also a sweet kerchief range that can be designed by the shopper. The style fabric, colour and print can is all bespoke. 

Tubie Kids 

Tubie Kids focuses on adaptive clothing and accessories for tube-fed children. This innovative company provides beautifully designed, colourful, tube-friendly yet functional clothing that gives children the full dignity and sensory comfort they need and deserve. Their Tubie Kids® 2in1 Combo Tops are especially brilliant, as they are an everyday staple that has flat seams, no label tags, and a discreet opening for abdominal access. 

Marks & Spencer

Retail giant M&S also offers what they’ve called a ‘Kids Easy Dressing,’ range. This collection includes hip dysplasia clothes, feeding tube clothing and zip-up bodysuits. They have rethought where poppers need to be placed as well as introduced super-soft materials to stimulate comfort. Sizes start from newborn and go up to 16 years. From pretty patterns to bold colours, as well as useful multi-packs, there is a lot to admire here. 

© ASDA

ASDA

ASDA’s ‘Easy On Easy Wear’ clothing is designed to support kids in working towards independent dressing via items like pull-on school trousers and ‘Easy On’ 2-in-1 school pinafores where the shirt is attached to the skirt. They have also done their research on sensory-kind fabrics and offer a range of items from sweatshirts to polo shirts that help comfort kids throughout their day.

Etsy 

E-commerce company Etsy hosts an abundance of independent brands and designers that have created adaptive clothing and accessories from first-hand experience. From tube feeding vests for 1-14-year-old boys and girls to adaptive trousers with side zippers and pyjamas with a back zipper, there is a lot on offer that will hopefully make the lives of parents and children living with disability or illness a touch more comfortable.    

Slick Chicks is Helya Mohammadian’s answer to inclusive clothing

Slick Chicks is a disability-inclusive apparel brand going above and beyond to cater to the needs of many of us that find getting dressed in the morning a challenge. Founded by Helya Mohammadian, the brand was launched when her sister gave birth by caesarean and she saw how daily tasks like bending over to put on clothes quickly became a struggle. Mohammadian saw how not being able to dress herself affected her sister’s mental health as well as self-esteem. This all prompted Mohammadian to create a range of inclusive underwear for women of all handicaps and sizes that met in the middle of fashion and function. A collection that was aesthetically pleasing but aided the wearer to be and feel independent once again. 

“Our mission is to empower people to tackle any of life’s daily challenges because we all deserve a sense of self, dignity and independence,” says Mohammadian. 

The Slick Chicks team fulfils this mission through their excellent range of underwear that fastens at the side with velcro so wearers do not need to bend over and pull them up over the knees. One of Slick Chick’s most innovative items is a pair of high-waisted leakproof pants that are designed for seated dressing and for those with hand dexterity challenges. The patented liner, created with tech-enhanced absorption qualities also helps to combat stress and urge incontinence. 

© Slick Chicks

Slick Chicks has expanded its range to include inclusive athleisure products. Here we’re talking about the accessible hoodie with dropped armholes for easier routing of the arms through the sleeves and an opening designed specifically for tube routing. And there’s also a new accessible jogger, created mindfully with a full zipper opening along the side seams for easy on-and-off access. All in beautiful, easy-to-wear colours too, think black, sand and plum.  

Mohammadian has big plans for how to build Slick Chick’s global brand awareness. Firstly, the website is home to the brand’s current campaign, which features adaptive sports charity Angel City Sports in celebration of Jamey Perry, a writer and champion adaptive athlete. The campaign message reads: “Empowered by Slick Chicks adaptive wear Jamey balances life as a mother, writer, and athlete; exploring what it means to celebrate disability — an ingenious way to live.”

In 2022 the company launched on the television shopping channel QVC and went on air via a QVC Live session. This brand presentation made history as it was the first time an inclusive model and intimate brand has been featured on a QVC Live. Also looking to the future, Slick Chicks has an ongoing partnership with the American Cancer Society and will be launching a new campaign with them towards the end of the year. 

Watch this very inclusive space. Visit the Slick Chicks website here: https://slickchicksonline.com/