New age innovation for people with physical disabilities could be very supportive. Ever since 2015, Nike has been researching and installing new ways to give those with disabilities more accessible access to their shoes. The designers at Nike began the FlyEase line when one of their executives, Jeff Johnson, suffered from a stroke that severely impacted his mobility. Because of this, Nike realized that the only shoe in the market for those with disabilities was clinical-looking orthopedic shoes. Brands like Nike wanted to incorporate fashion and the needs of people with disabilities in mind for their new sneaker designs. This was when design engineers took on the role of finding ways to innovate.
Now, how do these sneakers help those with disabilities? Due to many people who suffer from reduced mobility, tieing and physically putting on a shoe will either take a lot of time or need someone else’s help. This is when Nike’s FlyEase line will be a help to many. The engineers at Nike created an elastic band called the tensioner that goes all around the sneaker. They also created a hinge at the front of the heel so that when the hinge locks, it will tighten the elastic band all around the shoe, closing the shoe itself.
How do we put this shoe on and off, and how will it decrease the time of getting in and out of the house? Easy, when wanting to put on the sneaker, you step inside the shoe; when your heel touches the bottom of the insole, the tension will then tighten and lock the shoe behind you setting your foot in place. It is almost the same concept as the snap bracelets that sold between the early and mid-2000s. Now taking it off is almost just easy; when taking off the shoe, one has to place one foot on the back of the other shoe’s heel and kick your foot up. This will then unlock the hinge to open, and your foot will slip out. If this still is a problem to some, parents will easily be able to pop the hinge out in seconds rather than untieing and loosen up the shoe.
Although the FlyEase line is an amazing new way that Nike is trying to make the lives of those who have disabilities easier, not everyone feels this way. Unfortunately, due to Nike’s “hype,” rarely do these shoes go to anyone who needs it. Not only does this happen, but Nike also does not say how many of these sneakers will be produced and released, creating an even more “hype” for the sneaker. This will later make it hard for those who need this shoe to have access to it since many will buy it and resell the shoe for double the price.
However, having the FlyEase line create momentum and hype around it, I believe that it will catch the eyes of other brands as well. Seeing as the FlyEase line begins to sell out at each release, brands like Adidas, Puma, New Balance, etc., will want to begin to create their take to a hands-free shoe. This will then expand the options for those who need the shoe and possibly make it easier for them to have access to them.
If Nike wants to make a difference for the sneaker game when it comes to those with disabilities, then they need to be honest with their consumers. If the demand for these shoes is high, they should create more of these shoes so that those who need them do not need to buy the shoe for double its price. Also, working with non-profits and sports charities where they gift these shoes to those in need will give those more hope for those who question Nike’s integrity. It will also give those with disabilities who love sports aspire to go for it or, as Nike puts it, “Just Do It.”
