Why you should take your makeup advice from a blind woman | Molly Burke | TEDxKlagenfurt
Why should a blind woman love makeup, and what does that teach us about inclusive design? In this honest, funny, and insightful talk, content creator and accessibility advocate Molly Burke shares her journey through a visual industry that too often forgets those who can’t see it. From scent-coded lipsticks to tactile shampoo bottles, she shows how universal design isn’t just good for disabled people - it's good for business and for everyone. With sharp insight and wonderful humor, Molly Burke makes the case that inclusion isn’t inspiration, it’s innovation. And if brands want to stay relevant, they need to start designing as if everyone counts.Molly Burke is a motivational speaker, disability advocate, author, digital creator and changemaker redefining what it means to be seen. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at four, she lost most of her vision by 14 but gained purpose. Today, she’s a bestselling author, speaker, model, and digital pioneer with 5M+ followers, known for her honesty, humor, and unfiltered insight. From the UN in NYC to L.A. Fashion Week, from Audible originals to beauty campaigns with Dove, Aerie, and Google, Molly blends advocacy with art. She’s the first blind content creator to pass 1M followers and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Her memoir UNSEEN explores what it means to be truly visible in a world that often overlooks difference.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 7:28The Art of Back-Up Plans | Vashti Eliya Baylan | TEDxITE College WestA hospitality student with a planner’s mind and an artist’s heart, she champions backup plans—not as signs of failure, but as acts of care, creativity, and quiet resilience. A hospitality student with a planner’s mind and an artist’s heart, she champions backup plans—not as signs of failure, but as acts of care, creativity, and quiet resilience. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:03Οι σκιές που ψιθυρίζουν | Κατερίνα Βισέρη | TEDxEleusisΗ νευρική ανορεξία αποτελεί νόσο του σώματος..ή μήπως και της ψυχής; Μαθήματα ζωής από μια μαχήτρια της νόσου, η οποία κατάφερε να κάνει την σκιά που της ψιθύριζε να σωπάσει, ενώ παράλληλα έγινε η ίδια το φως μέσα στο σκοτάδι. Τα άτομα που νοσούν από διατροφικές διαταραχές δεν είναι μόνα. Marketing & Social Media Services - Co-Founder PHOS - Lawyer (Law, Entrepreneurship, Modeling) This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 8:38Unmute the Mic: Youth and the Future of Education | Zoya Kalinsky | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthToo young? Too different? Too limited? Zoya Kalinsky proves otherwise. From being bullied as a child with Tourette syndrome to becoming a global advocate for education reform, she shows why youth voices aren’t just important—they’re essential. Zoya calls out tokenism, challenges outdated systems, and shares how kids worldwide are rewriting the future of learning. Her message is clear: the future doesn’t wait, and neither should we. Zoya is a 14-year-old global youth advocate and founder of the UnitEd Youth Council, using her voice to champion education and empower the next generation of leaders. She collaborates with global organizations to drive meaningful policy change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:54I’m Fine: The Lie Every Teen Tells You | Sonia Katara Suthar | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthEvery teen has a double life—the version at school and the version at home. In this powerful and deeply relatable talk, Sonia Katara Suthar exposes the gap between what parents think their teens feel and what teens actually experience. With stories from her own family and insights from research, Sonia makes the case for “collaboration over control.” She offers practical tools to transform silence into trust, conflict into connection, and families into places where teens feel truly seen. Sonia is an 18-year-old business owner who is passionate about educating teens & parents and cultivating communities around understanding and a sense of belonging. She’s developed a deep expertise in teenage psychology, motivational styles, & the nuance of parent-teen relationships. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 6:05The Ripple Effect: Small Actions, Big impact | Shepperd Pfiester | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthCan small choices really change the world? Shepperd Pfiester thinks so. In this inspiring talk, she shares how a trip to study coral reefs opened her eyes to the power of tiny actions—like reducing plastic or starting a conversation—that ripple outward and inspire others. From classrooms to oceans, Shepperd shows that change doesn’t begin with celebrities or scientists. It begins with one person daring to believe their actions matter. What ripple will you start? Shepperd is a 12-year-old 7th grader who loves gymnastics and exploring the wonders of the ocean and coral reefs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:55Hidden in Plain Text | Penelope Marty | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthWe all send “LOL” or “JK” when we don’t really mean it—but what are we hiding behind those emojis? In this honest and heartfelt talk, Penelope Marty uncovers the secret language of pretending to be okay, and how it keeps us from real connection. Sharing her own experiences, she challenges us to drop the mask, speak the truth—even when it’s scary—and make honesty the new normal. Because our real voices are far too powerful to hide. Penelope is a 7th grader and a passionate public speaker. She is bubbly, talkative, optimistic, enthusiastic—she loves being social, staying loyal to her friends, and texting them to keep the good vibes going! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx