Autism Awareness

$100,000 USD from the Autism Awareness Collection Proceeds will benefit A.skate Foundation

Since 1966, Vans has stood as a champion of individuality and self-expression. The brand’s commitment continues with the release of sensory inclusive footwear designs as part of the Autism Awareness Collection. With this project, Vans celebrates the unique aspects of all people. Designed specifically with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in mind, the ultra-comfortable footwear collection is offered with sensory-inclusive elements including a calming color palette and design features that focus on the senses of touch, sign and sound. A portion of the proceeds from Vans’ Autism Awareness Collection will benefit the A.skate Foundation, which introduces skateboarding to kids with Autism through acceptance, therapy and education. The Vans Autism Awareness Collection will be available this March.

To be more inclusive to common sensory sensitivities, Vans worked with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards to create designs utilizing Vans ComfyCush technology for all day comfort and ease of wear for adults, kids and toddlers.

The ComfyCush Old Skool is the first in the collection with blue suede uppers, Checkerboard adorned with red velvet hearts and a special message on the backs of each heel.Vans ComfyCush Slip-On PT has been outfitted with a squishy check upper in a cool-toned grey with a heel-pull for easy-on capabilities. A second ComfyCush Slip-On PT focuses on sight to feature a holographic water printed upper and blue twill sidewalls.

A final ComfyCush Slip-On PT with white canvas uppers is adorned with LOVE adorned on one foot and VANS on the other and is finished with a fuzzy tactile blue heart in support of ASD. Made exclusively for kids and toddlers, the all-new ComfyCush New Skool V features a rubber toe cap with added vamp overlay for durability, a single strap hook-and-loop closure for equal tightness and fit, pull tab for ease of entry, and a foam padded collar and ComfyCush bottom unit for ultimate comfort. Rounding out the Vans Autism Awareness Collection is an assortment of short and long sleeve tees for kids that showcase graphic treatments in cool, calming color palettes.

With this collection, Vans will donate a minimum of $100,000 of its proceeds to A.skate, an organization that allows children with autism to be a part of the social world through skateboarding. A.skate holds clinics for children on the spectrum at no cost to the families, provides grants to children with autism for skateboarding gear, as well as promote awareness and educates families about the therapeutic benefits of skateboarding. The proceeds from this collection enables A.skate to teach 4,000 children with autism how to skateboard and further builds on the inclusive and creative culture of skateboarding.

Join Vans this March as we support and raise awareness for Autism.