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The "Invisible Class" is a symbolic travel class that encompasses 1.3 billion people worldwide who are on the move due to structural barriers. This term has gained traction, and it is the focus of Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA's upcoming campaign, launching in September 2025.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of barriers and show solutions for independent travel for people with disabilities. Ottobock has created a digital campaign hub at ottobock.com/de-de/invisible-class, where you can find a wealth of content related to the topic.
To make the topic of "traveling with obstacles" more visible, Ottobock is using 84 digital advertising spaces in heavily frequented locations in Berlin and Göttingen. The motifs in the campaign show the contrast between travel expectations and the unvarnished reality from the perspective of those affected.
The "Invisible Class" campaign features people with inspiring life stories at its centre. One such individual is Zainab Al-Eqabi, a TV presenter, influencer, and model from the United Arab Emirates, who lost her left leg at the age of 7 due to a bomb explosion. Another is Ayleen Walter, a model, speaker, and wheelchair user from Germany, who is wheelchair-bound due to a chronic spinal cord condition.
Ayleen Walter shares her experience of the meticulous planning and improvisation skills required for traveling with assistive devices or accessibility. She highlights the importance of knowing barrier-free locations, attractions, and services, a crucial aspect that the community plays in supporting the "Invisible Class."
The Europe-wide campaign "Invisible Class" by Ottobock also features celebrities such as Paralympic athlete Johannes Floors and actress Anna Schudt. The document "InvisibleClass_TravelGuide.pdf" is 991 kB in size and provides further information.
It's worth noting that 84% of people with limited mobility in Europe and 96% in the USA have had negative travel experiences. Martin Böhm, Chief Experience Officer at Ottobock, explains that "Invisible Class" aims to demonstrate how important it is to recognize barriers to dismantle them.
For more information, you can visit the campaign website or watch the campaign video on YouTube. Contact information for further enquiries is provided by Anna Sophia Heinrich and Nadine Winter. The sources for the information in this article are the 2025 Portrait of European Travellers with Mobility & Accessibility Needs, the 2022 Portrait of Travelers with Disabilities: Mobility & Accessibility, and Disability (who.int).
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