In this diverse world, we are too busy setting our lives straight. When we see some hoarding or advertisement that makes us feel inclusive, it lights up our face. We start to believe that we are not the only ones trying to make society a better place to live in for everyone.
Companies are trying their best to grow and take initiatives that makes us feel included in their brand messaging. Many companies have come up with exciting ways to make specially-abled people, people of different colours and sizes, the LGBTQIA+ community and others feel recognised and acknowledged. It makes people feel special and provides them with a sense of belonging and responsibility.
These companies are taking the initiative towards making this world a happier place to live in making us feel more included.
Mcdonald’s – I’m Lovin’ It
McDonald’s was initially started by two brothers, Richard and Maurice McDonald, in 1948 as a small outlet in California. Later on, it was taken over by Ray Kroc, who was a multimixer salesman and now owns franchises all over the world, the one we eat in.
McDonald’s is a fast-food giant that serves foods and beverages across the whole world.
They sell fast food because they wanted to make affordable food accessible as it’s a fundamental necessity that anyone and everyone should be able to get.
McDonald’s came up with an excellent initiative for their specially-abled customers. They introduced this on the International Day Of Persons With Disability when we celebrate how brave and strong special people are. They named their new packaging – “EatQual” which once again lives up to their brand messaging of making delicious and feel-good food for everyone.
McDonald’s collaborated with an NGO and has been working “EatQual” for many months before it was actually launched.
Benefits of the initiative:
- The initiative has made eating independent and enjoyable for the differently-abled
- It is especially beneficial to people with upper arm movement disability.
IKEA – The Wonderful Everyday
Ingvar Kamprad founded IKEA. Established in 1926 in Sweden, it has stores all over the world. They are well known for their affordable DIY furnishing solutions.
Everyone should have access to stylish and modern furniture at the right cost was the idea behind developing a brand like IKEA.
IKEA came up with an interesting campaign for the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate their day of pride. They launched a limited edition KVANTIG bag to showcase their commitment towards diversity and how they show their respect to everyone, no matter their sexual or gender orientation and identity.
IKEA says – “Equality is our competitive advantage. We can guarantee that including LGBT+ individuals is beneficial on so many levels, like improving the motivation and commitment of our teams, reducing staff turnover and cases of discrimination, and improving the working environment and overall loyalty, both inside and outside IKEA.”
“It isn’t just a bag. It’s a statement.”
Benefits of the initiative:
- IKEA will raise money for the organizations working towards a better society and share profits with the charities.
- It will help people feel included in such a significant company and recognized worldwide.
Starbucks – Inspire And Nurture The Human Spirit – One Person, One Cup And One Neighborhood At A Time
Starbucks was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl in a small market place in Seattle. The purpose of establishing this coffee house that turned into a chain of stores was to provide good quality coffee and tea. Today, Starbucks has its franchise all over the world.
Starbucks opened their first sign language store where the employees are very fluent with sign language as they are deaf themselves, and the ones who do not have hearing impairments wear a pin that says “I sign.”
The employees also wear an apron, which has Starbucks written in sign language. Customers who are new to sign language can also use digital notepads to communicate.
Benefits of the initiative:
- It makes customers with disabilities feel included.
- Specially-abled people do not have to go the extra mile to feel comfortable. They can enjoy a fantastic experience with their favorite and well-known brand.
LEVI’S – Live in Levi’s
Levi’s was established in 1873 by a Bavarian immigrant in San Francisco, but it was recognized worldwide from the 1960s when the cowboys started wearing and advertising it.
Levi Strauss & Company’s mission is to sustain responsible commercial success as a global marketing company of branded casual apparel. Levi’s believes they must balance goals of superior profitability and return on investment, leadership market positions, and superior products and services with social improvements.
Levi comes up with the pride merchandise every year. They have to offer tees, shorts, jackets, tanks, belts, and other apparel with rainbow colors on display. The company is very well known, and such an initiative speaks a lot about its social contribution.
Benefits of the initiative:
- They are helping people be recognized and feel comfortable within themselves.
- They donate 100% of their proceeds to LGBTQIA+ human rights organizations.
NIKE – Just Do It!
Bill Bowerman introduced Nike in 1964. Their first store was established in 1966, and Nike, as we know it today, came into existence in 1972. The main reason behind starting Nike is to bring innovation and inspiration to every athlete in the world. They believe that everyone who has a body is an athlete.
Nike introduced to the world shoes which can help people with physical disabilities. The idea behind introducing these shoes is to allow differently-abled people not to be dependent on someone else for support every time they wish to go out.
Nike introduced the latest design of hands-free sneakers this year, i.e., 2021, which is called Nike Go FlyEase, and it helps the wearer easily slip in and out of the shoes without even having to bend over. The sneaker exists because of Matthew Walzer, who dreamed of this shoe in 2012 when he was 16, who suffers from cerebral palsy and couldn’t get ready as quickly as others did.
Nike introduced one more shoe in 2020, known as Nike Adapt. It is a brilliant design with an excellent breakthrough system that fits electronically according to your foot shape. The shoe aims to get the right fit at every step. It is powered by the Nike Adapt app, connects your shoe to Bluetooth, and has easy wireless charging. It has two buttons on the side of the shoe which can light up in the color of our choice.
Benefits of the initiative:
- It makes it easy to wear for differently-abled people
- Empowers users with lower body immobility
Apple – Think Different
Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne founded Apple in April 1976. Headquartered in California, USA, the company aims to let the customers experience its unique innovation, software, hardware, and services. Apple wanted to make great products that are incredibly user-friendly and have the best quality.
Apple recently came up with something which helps customers who are specially-abled. They have changed their accessibility settings, which lets an individual choose from Vision, Mobility, Hearing, and Cognitive, making it easier for them to select the features they need. Voice controls are also straightforward to access by just triple tapping on the home screen button.
Benefits of the initiative:
- It shows that the company cares for all of its users.
- It makes the use of a phone or mac as easy as it would have for any other user.
These initiatives make the world a better place to live, one small thing at a time. If everyone starts taking small steps to improve this world, imagine how we, collectively, can change the world.
Education can change the world. Learn something new on Book A Workshop today!
