Nike’s Accessibility Center of Excellence, Disability Network and Blue Ribbon Studios came together recently for an Accessibility Design Sprint – a high-energy, fast-paced challenge to create the next generation of accessible performance and lifestyle apparel.
Brenden Strang, Lead Designer, Apparel Graphics Olympics, was heavily involved in the creation of the event. Working alongside teammates and Nike Paralympians, he saw firsthand how the dynamic format encouraged creative problem-solving in real time.
“By nature, the sprint is designed to get you to think quickly, trust your instincts and learn on the fly,” Strang says. “What comes out of this challenge may not always be perfect, but the pressure of the situation and collective thinking often lead to solutions that wouldn’t otherwise exist.”
The sprint featured three Nike athletes – Noah Malone (track & field), Beatriz Hatz (track & field) and Ixhelt González (wheelchair basketball) – who joined in-person for a panel where they offered personal insights into what performance, comfort and style mean for them.
Clark Rachfal PLY, DEI Principal, Accessibility Policy & Programs, says the sprint was another reminder of how Nike stands out as a company. “‘If you have a body, you’re an athlete’ is more than a quote at Nike – it is the secret sauce that fuels our ability to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world,” Rachfal says. “We are so fortunate to have Nike teammates who are amazing designers, innovators and truly empathetic humans. I was blown away by how quickly they connected with our Nike athletes, identified ways to improve their performance, comfort and style, and moved to create solutions.”
