One in four Americans has a disability, yet many products and experiences are not designed with this community in mind. Across the beauty and personal care industry, there is currently no deodorant product specifically designed for people with upper limb disabilities. Twisting a deodorant cap, turning a stick, or pushing down on a spray can with limited arm mobility is a real challenge.

A revolutionary deodorant prototype from Degree and Wunderman Thompson makes the application process more accessible for people with visual impairment and upper limb motor disabilities. Driven by a mission to make the deodorant application process more accessible, Degree partnered with a team of design experts from Wunderman Thompson, occupational therapists, engineers, consultants, and people living with disabilities across the globe to create a prototype for Degree Inclusive.

Inclusive by design, the product contains the following revolutionary features:

• Easier to open and close with a hooked design for one-handed usage and 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.
• Easier to handle and apply with enhanced grip placement for easier application for users with limited grip or no arms.
• Easier to identify with braille label instructions for users with vision impairment.
• A larger roll-on applicator to reach more surface area per swipe and refillable component.

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.

“As a brand that’s committed to inspiring confidence in everyone to move more, Degree believes no one should be held back from experiencing the transformative benefits of movement,” said Kathryn Swallow, Global Degree Brand Vice President. “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.”

By introducing a deodorant serving the needs of those with visual impairment and upper limb disabilities, Degree continues to advance its ongoing commitment to provide inclusive products for everyone.

“Breaking stereotypes unleashes creativity and drives growth. 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,” said Aline Santos Farhat, EVP of Global Marketing and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Unilever.