A few years ago, a Zappos employee took a call from a customer whose grandson received the wrong shoes. Sadly, the employee was unable to find a replacement for what she needed. Our customer was frustrated — and rightfully so. She shared that her grandson, Gabriel, has autism and is unable to use shoes with laces due to the challenges of tying them. As Gabriel ages, it becomes increasingly difficult to find footwear for his needs.

That call made a lasting impression on our employee, and he vowed to do something about it. Following several months of immersive research, education, and talking with families and people with disabilities, he helped create a team dedicated to sourcing products that are functional, fashionable, and meet all types of needs. Zappos Adaptive aims to connect people with products that make life easier.