SOURCE: Deckers Brands
DESCRIPTION:
May 20, 2021 /3BL Media/ - A truly democratic brand, UGG® is for anyone who wants to look and feel good. As part of our ongoing commitment to extend the feeling of UGG® universally, we are joining The Valuable 500 – a global movement putting disability inclusion on the business leadership agenda.
Striving to foster equity in everything we do, UGG® will support and amplify the voices of people with disabilities from our process to our products. Joining almost five hundred of the world’s leading brands in pledging to pursue meaningful inclusivity, we recognize the need for better representation within the fashion industry for over 1.3 billion people across the world (almost 15% of the global population) who are living with some form of disability.
1. UGG® UNIVERSAL.
Through our continued partnership with Zappos, our UGG® Universal adaptive range is designed with ease in mind, extending the feeling of UGG to all. Adding specialized modifications like oversized double zippers, toggle-adjusted stretch laces, and rear pull-tabs to some of our most timeless styles, the collection offers functional iterations of both the Classic Short and Neumel Boot.
2. ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY.
For the UGG community to be accessible to all, our communication must be inclusive of all. Our website will continue to meet and exceed the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) through our ongoing partnership with eSSENTIAL Accessibility. Our prioritization of better communication will also extend across each of our social media platforms with closed captioning on videos and alt text for imagery.
3. MINDFUL DESIGN.
To extend the accessibility of our product range, UGG designers will be empowered with tools they need to design with inclusivity in mind. According to Mindless Mag, as many as 75% of disabled people feel their needs are not being met by fashion brands. Through a series of dedicated workshops on diversity, we intend to create a team of conscious thinkers who continue to prioritize universal design and aid the development of a functional and fashion-focused adaptive footwear industry.
4. INCLUSION FOR ALL.
Working alongside the DECKAbility + Allies employee resource group, we will implement and update our policies to establish better inclusion of employees with disabilities and those caring for loved ones with disabilities. Forged out of the intention to provide like-minded individuals with a support network, the group will additionally serve as an advisor on employee needs and subsequent inclusivity initiatives.
5. REAL STORIES.
We want UGG to be reflective of its community and its diversity of voices, and will amplify the stories of marginalized communities across our platforms. By collaborating with accessibility advocates, we hope to raise awareness and drive change towards a more inclusive fashion industry for people with disabilities.
6. REPRESENTATION MATTERS.
At UGG, we know the importance of representation and pledge to continue casting inclusively. At least 60% of people featured in our marketing materials are diverse in their body types or ability, or are from underrepresented groups including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQ+ communities.
UGG brand’s commitment to fostering an accessible and inclusive community remains fundamental on our journey to FEEL GOOD. Having laid the groundwork for our ambitious Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, we will continue to strive for change within the fashion and footwear industry through tangible and progressive action.
KEYWORDS: NYSE:DECK, Deckers Brands, UGG, Valuable 500
