Designing For Function and Universal Access | Sarah Houbolt | TEDxSydney

Solving challenges related to access for people with disabilities isn’t as simple as a drop-down menu. Acrobat, dancer and Paralympian, Sarah Houbolt shares her unique views on how to make spaces more inclusive, and in the process, society as well.
Sarah Houbolt likes to take risks in the name of leadership. As an international circus and physical theatre performer, arts manager and diversity advocate, Sarah designs her life around creativity, deep understandings of accessibility, and the need to question what we can actually see. And what we haven’t seen already but should see.
Born in North Queensland, Sarah began her dialogue around disability at age five, with her first media interview. Sarah is a Paralympian and a freak show performer. Her performance credits include Cirque du Soleil. She was the manager of Arts Activated 2016, and a speaker at the Sydney Opera House’s Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2016, on the topic of disability arts history. Sarah works with the University of Technology Sydney from its Equity and Diversity unit, coordinating central staff and student accessibility policy responses across the University. Her work champions the importance of cultural leadership and getting specific around how we look at accessibility in education, employment, design and innovation.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@raekell]

7:36 is the best quote. This is how I want to move forward once I finish licensure in architecture.

[@JorryYang]

As a college student of design, I am deeply moved and inspired by this presentation.Thank you for sharing, and I decide to make my design as universal as possible!

[@keldakellie9164]

I'm at home sick with a head cold, today on World Mental Health day and stumbling on you Sarah has been a very welcome highlight. My invisible disability is ADDers.

[@Miss65boo]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Thank you Sarah, for all of us who have invisible disabilities as well as those whose disabilities are obvious. You are wonderful!

[@sonyaneal6539]

Oh yes, thank you Sarah. As an older woman with PTSD, seeing you walk to the center of the stage and begin to open your heart about your story, you also opened my heart❤️. May God bless you most abundantly in all you do.

[@mcook6005]

This made me cry. So forward thinking and visionary.

[@AnnAndNala]

Fantastic! I learned so much perspective from Ms. Houbolt's speech. This is one is my favorite Ted Talks to date. Thank you for such brilliant content. 🦋

[@Jeffthefry]

Absolutely fantastic. Her voice is a blend of Matilda and Hermione and her knowledge of transformation and astral projection is really unbelievable.

[@shoshannafachima1306]

Spot on,every word,every sentence.bravo!

[@angelinadreamer]

She's such an inspiration!

[@canerkut6487]

I agree the same!

[@rubinastein]

Beautiful presentation! I have one request: credit that brilliant dance teacher! What was their name?

[@rscott2247]

I think she is super intelligent !