Deckers brands has taken a holistic approach to its corporate responsibility and sustainability efforts – employing socially conscious operations and sustainable business practices, with the goal of continuing to deliver quality products to its consumers. The footwear company is committed to positively impacting the communities where it operates, including assuring industry-leading human rights and environmental practices throughout its supply chain.
Deckers has begun work with meaningful partnerships, both with its business partners (including factory partners and suppliers) and nonprofits, such as VisionSpring. VisionSpring’s mission is to increase lifelong earning, learning, safety and well-being through eyeglasses for people vulnerable to poverty. Since 2018, VisionSpring, together with its partners, has provided more than 200,000 workers with the eyeglasses they needed to correct their vision in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Through its partnership with VisionSpring, Deckers is committed to prioritizing the well-being and visual health of its valued business partners. The strategic partnership aims to address the critical issue of vision impairment and lack of access to eyewear in low-income communities. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.2 billion people globally suffer from vision impairment, with a significant portion lacking access to basic eye care services.
What is even more astounding is that the majority of these workers were women and the vast majority were receiving glasses for the first time, illustrating how impactful the program is for furthering both human rights and gender equality. On average, women have much less access to eyeglasses than men in the global South, and many workers do not have access to proper vision screening.
In FY23, Deckers’ support provided vision screening services, and affordable glasses where needed, for more than 4,200 supply chain workers among two of its Tier 1 footwear suppliers located in Vietnam. Deckers plans to continue its support of this impactful program into FY24.
“We are thrilled to partner with VisionSpring to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who lack access to proper vision screening and eyewear,” said Brooke Beshai, vice president of sustainability and compliance at Deckers Brands. “As a socially responsible company, we believe in utilizing the power of our scale and expertise to drive positive change. By working together, we can help improve vision health and empower individuals to reach their full potential.”
Deckers’ commitment to human rights, gender equality and inclusion for all aligns with VisionSpring’s vision of a world where everyone who needs eyeglasses has them.
By joining forces with VisionSpring, Deckers works toward supporting healthy lives and well-being. Looking ahead, Deckers hopes to inspire others, be a positive light in the world, and continue to create change.
