Degree Deodorant, a Unilever brand and maker one of the world's best-known antiperspirants, introduces what it calls the world's first inclusive deodorant for people with visual impairment and upper limb motor disabilities: Degree Inclusive. 
The pack design includes a larger roll-on applicator to reach more surface area per swipe
One in four Americans has a disability, yet products are rarely designed with this community in mind. According to the brand, across the beauty industry, there is currently no deodorant product suitable for people with upper body disabilities to use. Twisting a deodorant cap, turning a stick, or pushing down on a spray with limited arm mobility is a real challenge. In addition to meeting the needs of those with disabilities, Degree Inclusive offers refillable packaging to limit waste impact and a gender-neutral fragrance.
Degree partnered with an inclusive team of design experts from brand agency Wunderman Thompson, including occupational therapists, engineers at SOUR Studio, consultants, and people living with disabilities across the globe to create a prototype for Degree Inclusive. Driven by a mission to make the deodorant application process more accessible, Degree Inclusive has been designed with the following features as noted in the brand's product development video.
- A hooked cap design and integral handle on the base 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 U.S. 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,” says Kathryn Swallow, Global Degree Brand Vice President. “More than 60 million people in the U.S. 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.”
 | Watch this Take 5 video that reports on consumer research from the Consumer Brands Association, ISTA, and Smithers Pira describing people's desire to match their values with those of the brands that they buy. |
