Nike Designs for People with Disabilities

Nike’s latest shoe is called Zoom Solider 8, which was designed specifically for people with disabilities. The shoe design was inspired by a heartfelt letter from Matthew Walzer, a 16-year-old who living with cerebral palsy, asking the company to consider developing a shoe designed for people who have trouble tying shoelaces. 

“My dream is to go to the college of my choice without having to worry about someone coming to tie my shoes every day,” he wrote, according to Nike. “As a teenager who is striving to become totally self-sufficient, I find this extremely frustrating and, at times, embarrassing.” 

The letter found itself with Tobie Hatfield, a shoe designer at Nike. Hatfield immediately started fashioning a prototype. Instead of laces, the Zoom Soldier 8 features Flyease technology, a type of zipper that goes around the heel of the shoe. This makes it easier for people with limited hand function to easily pull the shoes on and off with one hand. Limited quantities of the shoe will become available on July 16. In late July, Nike will be sending the shoes to two US Basketball teams participating in the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles