How Can We Make Packaging More Accessible to Arthritis Sufferers?

An element of packaging that often goes overlooked during the design and production process is accessibility to people with disabilities, particularly those that affect the hands – such as arthritis.

Whether it's a food item, medication, or some other product, many people with arthritis find it difficult or impossible to open things that are sealed in tight packaging. This is not
only frustrating for the customer, but can prevent them from being able to access the items they need.

According to Arthritis Australia, 44% of arthritis sufferers struggle with hard-to-open packaging every day.

However, professionals in the packaging industry often underestimate the difficulty faced by arthritis sufferers when it comes to packaging. Just 31% of industry professionals said they thought arthritis sufferers might struggle to open packaging “occasionally”, and 34% said “once or twice a week”

So what can be done to make packaging more accessible for arthritis sufferers? One potential solution is to use easy-open packaging. This type of packaging typically has a tab or some other mechanism that can be opened relatively easily, even by people with limited dexterity. Another possibility is to use larger openings on packages, which would again make them easier to open.

According to Arthritis Australia, more recognition is needed from industry professionals, and brands should opt for packaging manufacturers that can design and create options that are accessible to arthritis sufferers.

“By doing so,” Arthritis Australia says, “they can avoid unnecessary negative impacts on consumers on an emotional level as well as a physical one, with consumers no longer hurting themselves or creating unnecessary waste by damaging and spilling products caused through a struggle with packaging.”