Enable Accessible Haircare

Enable Accessible Haircare: Designing Accessible Packaging with Purpose

When Laura LeMond set out to create Enable Accessible Haircare, her mission was simple but powerful: to make personal care easier for people with arthritis and mobility limitations. Living with arthritis herself, she knew packaging wasn’t an afterthought; it was central to empowering the people she wanted to serve.

“I’ve spent years creating solutions that make everyday life more accessible,” Laura shared. “With Enable Accessible Haircare, I wanted packaging that didn’t just look good on the shelf; it needed to truly work for people who struggle with standard bottles and caps.”

To bring that vision to life, Laura partnered with TricorBraun Packaging Consultant AJ Navarro, who guided her through each stage of the custom packaging process, from selecting suppliers to solving unique technical challenges.

Meeting Accessibility Needs with Custom Design

One of the first hurdles was the bottle itself. For many people with arthritis, squeezing a shampoo bottle isn’t just inconvenient, it can be painful, frustrating, and shake confidence in daily routines. Most standard bottles are made from rigid HDPE resin, demanding more hand strength than many can comfortably give. Laura knew that had to change.

Together, AJ and Laura worked with the bottle supplier to re-engineer an existing mold, blending HDPE with LDPE to create a softer, more forgiving resin. After multiple rounds of testing, the bottle struck the right balance of strength and ease.

“We tested and retested with Laura, her family, and friends,” AJ explained. “The goal was to hit that sweet spot: softer than a typical bottle, but not flimsy. We knew it was right when everyone could dispense the product comfortably.”

A Cap Designed for Ease

The next challenge was the cap. Standard flip tops require force to open, creating another barrier for people with arthritis. AJ introduced a three-piece cap that uses leverage rather than pressure. A simple button press pops the spout open.

“When AJ showed me that cap, I thought, ‘This is it’,” Laura recalled. “It made opening the bottle effortless and felt like a small but life-changing detail. It was also the moment I realized I had chosen the right partner. Without AJ and TricorBraun, I never would have discovered this solution that perfectly aligned with my mission of accessibility.”

Guiding a Startup Through Packaging Complexity

For a new brand like Enable Accessible Haircare, packaging can be overwhelming: suppliers, MOQs, artwork, and e-commerce requirements are all unfamiliar territory. AJ’s support went far beyond bottles and caps.

“Everything was new to me,” Laura said. “AJ walked me through step by step. He connected me with the right filler, helped with artwork, and answered questions I didn’t even know to ask. Working with TricorBraun gave me reassurance that my brand would be taken seriously, even as a startup. Their credibility in the packaging world also opened doors and gave me confidence when going to market.”

Purpose-Driven Packaging with Impact

Beyond the technical achievements of the product, what stands out is the heart behind it and how it intends to empower its consumers.

In the U.S., nearly 20% of the population is over 50 years old, and 18% lives with some form of disability. For many of these individuals, tasks as simple as opening a shampoo or conditioner bottle can present daily challenges. Accessible packaging isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a necessity that directly impacts quality of life.

“This isn’t about creating just another shampoo,” Laura reflected. “It’s about dignity, independence, and making everyday routines easier. Enable Accessible Haircare’s goal is to provide products that empower people living with a wide range of challenges—whether arthritis, mobility limitations, or other disabilities—without sacrificing quality of life. I want to spark change in the industry. Too often, packaging is designed only with younger, able-bodied consumers in mind. Accessibility isn’t a niche; it’s a necessity. And TricorBraun is invaluable in supporting our goal.”
AJ added: “Bringing a customer’s vision to life is what I aim to do every day. But with this project, it went beyond creating a great product. Knowing this packaging can help to restore confidence and independence for so many people makes the work especially meaningful.”

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