Just Do It! Unpack Accessibility One Strap At A Time

Cover image created from Canva.com a dark background displays white text like a chalkboard that reads Accessibility with an underline. Underneath also in white is the drawing outline of Nike tennis shoes and a backpack.

Nike has done it again. You may recall in 2015 Nike produced a tennis shoe that was made to meet the needs of those with disabilities. They featured a wrap around zipper and a larger opening to make it easier for people to slide their feet in and out. Now, they have produced an accessible backpack.

This backpack was designed with feedback from athletes who needed accessibility modifications. It comes with specialized clasps to allow the user to adjust the straps easier to place it on their wheelchair or back. It also has loops, magnets, and Velcro fasteners to make opening and closing easier.

Two photos side by side of athletes like the Paralympics. The image on the right is a runner in blue sports outfit on a track. The right leg is prosthetic leg. The face is shielded by arm swinging in motion of running hard. The left photo is a woman athlete in a wheelchair. Her arms are extended with a tennis racket over her head awaiting to hit a ball apparently in coming trajectory that we cannot see in the image.

Nike took two years of testing to make sure that the new style would meet the needs of those who have accessibility issues. They utilized tongs and oven mitts to make sure that the backpack could be easily opened, closed, and adjusted.

The backpack has been named the EasyOn Backpack. It was originally designed for Paralympic athletes in Paris but is now available on Nike’s website.