For people with disabilities, the decision to buy a pair of shoes can involve factors more complicated than looks and size. Is the shoe easy to put on? Does it put pressure on areas that could cause skin problems? Will the shoe fit with a brace or on a prosthetic?
Fortunately, in recent years mainstream shoe manufacturers have realized there is a huge market of people with disabilities who want stylish, easy-to-wear shoes. With manufacturers like Ugg and Nike investing in adaptive products, more companies will follow suit, and the adaptive footwear innovations will benefit us all. Gone are the days of contorting our feet to fit into the hottest new shoe or settling for our grandparents’ clunky orthopedic shoes.
