Degree Deodorant introduces Degree Inclusive, designed for people with visual impairment and upper limb motor disabilities.

In partnership with design experts from Wunderman Thompson, occupational therapists, engineers, consultants, and people living with disabilities, the prototype for Degree Inclusive has been designed with the following features to help make the deodorant application process more accessible, as noted in the brand’s product development video:

  • A hooked design for one-handed usage
  • Magnetic closures that make it easier to take the cap off and put it back on for users with limited grip and/or vision impairment
  • Enhanced grip placement for easier application for users with limited grip or no arms
  • A braille label with instructions for users with vision impairment
  • A larger roll-on applicator to reach more surface area per swipe

To ensure this original prototype is effective and accessible, Degree is now currently in a beta program to engage and get input from people living with disabilities. In partnership with The Chicago Lighthouse, Open Style Lab, and Muscular Dystrophy Association, Degree has invited 200 people with disabilities in the US to trial the prototype design and share their feedback with Degree on its concept, product features, and messaging, to help improve the innovation for its future commercial launch, Degree notes in a media release.

“More than 60 million people in the US live with a disability, yet products and experiences are still not designed with this community in mind. With Degree Inclusive we hope to inspire bold action across the industry to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal playing field.”

— Kathryn Swallow, Global Degree Brand Vice President

“Degree Inclusive challenges what a deodorant product should be. It’s a breakthrough accessible design that genuinely serves the needs of people with visual impairment and upper limb motor disabilities.” 

— Aline Santos Farhat, EVP of Global Marketing and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Unilever

Degree Inclusive marks the beginning of the brand’s frontier into accessible design, and the brand looks forward to making further progress on its long-term commitment to create equitable access to movement for all, according to the company in the release.

[Source(s): Degree, PR Newswire]