HANDS-FREE, Inc. makes Quikiks hands-free shoes, using a hinged Step-in-Go system that lets wearers step in and secure the shoe without bending over or using their hands. Founder Steve Kaufman developed the idea after his son Alex’s scoliosis brace made putting on shoes difficult, then spent more than six years fabricating and testing prototypes. The company donates 10% of its net profits to organizations serving people with disabilities.
Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS)Founded in Jaipur in 1975 after civil servant D. R. Mehta’s hospital-bed resolve to help amputees, Shree Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) develops and provides Jaipur Foot prostheses and other mobility aids free of charge. As the parent body of Jaipur Foot, BMVSS has advanced the technology since its 1968 development and now supports more than 2.5 million beneficiaries through its Indian centres and international fitment camps. Its Stanford-Jaipur Knee was named by TIME among the world’s 50 best inventions of 2009, while its patient-centred model typically fits limbs within one or two days.MANHASSET, NY
Tru-Mold ShoesSince 1955, Buffalo-based Tru-Mold Shoes has made custom-molded orthopedic footwear and support braces for patients with individual foot and mobility needs. The family-run company combines CAD/CAM scanning and design with more than 25 construction and quality-check steps, followed by handcrafted assembly by skilled technicians. Tru-Mold also repairs and refurbishes custom-molded shoes made at its factory, extending the life of its work.BUFFALO, NY
Deja Shoe CoFounded by Julie Lewis in the early 1990s, Deja Shoe Co. is known for making footwear that turns discarded materials into something useful. Its original unisex flip-flop reflects that purpose, while planned Holy Cow sandals extend the company’s social mission to naturally deceased-cow leather and marginalized workers in India.CINCINNATI, OH
Stride RiteWith a 100-plus-year history, Stride Rite makes children’s shoes designed around growing feet, from first-walker styles through big-kid sizes. Its approach pairs patented fit technologies—such as flexible, foot-shaped soles for babies and sensory-response support for toddlers—with practical features including washable designs and shoes that accommodate orthotics or wide feet. The brand also offers APMA-approved styles and collaborations such as its Ms. Rachel collection.NEW YORK, NY