Nike’s Flyease Promotes Disabled Independence With Just a Zipper

Screen Shot 2015-07-14 at 9.31.58 AMNike’s new Flyease technology is game changing. No, not in the literal sense of the word—in fact it might be better described as life changing.

For a few years now, Nike Senior Director of Athlete Innovation Tobie Hatfield has been working on a pair of shoes that a person can tie with only one hand. Hatfield is trying to eliminate the dependence of amputees, stroke victims and people with cerebral palsy, and make Nike shoes all-inclusive.

According to Co.DESIGN’s Mark Wilson, the original sketch for these shoes came from a special pair designed for Nike’s first employee, Jeff Johnson, after he lost ability in his right hand following a stroke. Hatfield…