# Accessible Sneaker Brands are launching sneakers designed to accommodate people with disabilities. By [Grace Mahas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Grace.Mahas), VP of Content & Insights | Published May 27, 2021 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/accessible-sneaker ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Accessible Sneaker trend? **Accessible Sneaker:** Mainstream brands are launching new footwear options designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities. These include sneakers with a hands-free design for those with limited dexterity as well as unique design details that focus on the senses of touch, sight, and sound for those who require sensory-focused accommodations. ## The consumer insight behind the Accessible Sneaker trend Thanks to the activist work done by people with disabilities and their allies, there is now a greater awareness of the need to break institutional and physical barriers that prevent people with disabilities from living their lives like other citizens. As a result, consumers are demanding brands work towards inclusivity at all levels–from the products they manufacture to the employees they hire. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 29, 2019 to Nov 17, 2021 - Published: May 27, 2021 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Accessible Sneaker trend ### Inclusive Design Brands are launching new footwear options designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities. ### Sensory-Focused Design Unique design details that focus on the senses of touch, sight, and sound for those who require sensory-focused accommodations. ### Accessibility Designs that make it easier for people with disabilities to buy footwear. ## What the Accessible Sneaker trend means for industry ### For Footwear Mainstream and niche footwear brands are responding to demand for inclusive and accessible products. ### For Activism and Social Justice Companies are facing greater pressure to address social justice issues and use products to promote awareness and activism. ### For E-commerce and Retail Platform design that utilizes innovation to be more inclusive, and to capture customers that may have been overlooked otherwise. ## Workshop question How can your brand be more inclusive in the products or services you offer? ## Trend signals for Accessible Sneaker Trend score 5.0 out of 10, from popularity 66%, activity 73%, freshness 11%. - Popularity: 66% - Activity: 73% - Freshness: 11% ## Examples of the Accessible Sneaker trend 6 featured examples from Aug 29, 2019 to Nov 17, 2021. - [Disability-Accommodating Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-air-zoom-unvrs): The Nike Air Zoom UNVRS Allows for Easy Access and Wear (Category: Fashion) Implication: Exploring opportunities for designing inclusive sneakers to meet the needs of people with disabilities. - [Accessibility-Focused Sneaker Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hands-free-shoe): The Nike GO FlyEase is the First Hands-Free Shoe (Category: Fashion) Implication: Companies in the athletic footwear industry should consider developing more accessibility-focused shoe designs. - [Adaptive No-Lace Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/friendly-force): The Friendly Force Sneakers Were Designed with Accessibility in Mind (Category: Fashion) Implication: Industry can create varied designs and features for footwear to provide comfort and convenience for disabled individuals. - [Sensory-Inclusive Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vans-supports-autism-awareness): Vans Supports Autism Awareness with Its New Sneaker Collection (Category: Fashion) Implication: The integration of touch and sight design elements in Vans' sensory-inclusive sneakers presents an innovative opportunity for the fashion industry to elevate its product offerings… - [Disability-Focused Footwear Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-shoe-program): Tmall Reintroduces Its Adaptive 'One Shoe Program' (Category: Social Good) Implication: The footwear industry can benefit from developing specialized products and platforms that cater to people with disabilities, who are often overlooked in mainstream markets. - [Social Justice Joint Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bold-ni-lx): Vans and Julian Klincewicz Collab on the Bold Ni LX Sneaker (Category: Fashion) Implication: Footwear brands exploring collaborations with artists and designers to create unique and socially-conscious products. ## Recent trend clusters - [Aromatic Utility](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/aromatic-utility) (Fashion) - [Channel Blending](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/channel-blending) (Fashion) - [Aromatic Bodycare](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/aromatic-bodycare) (Fashion) - [Smile Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/smile-cosmetics) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Elegant Bookbinding-Inspired Shoulder Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boky-bag) - [’90s-Inspired Fall Essentials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-and-jason-bolden) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)