Best TED Talks on Disability: 10 Talks That Changed the Way I See the World
Best TED Talks on Disability: 10 Talks That Changed the Way I See the World
TED Talks have a way of shifting perspectives, and for me, some of the most powerful talks I’ve ever watched have been about disability. These speakers didn’t just open my eyes—they reshaped how I think about accessibility, inclusion, and what it truly means to live in a world that often overlooks disabled people.
If you're searching for the best TED Talks on disability, this list is for you. Whether you're part of the disability community, an ally, or just curious, these talks offer honest insights, bold perspectives, and yes—plenty of moments that challenge everything you thought you knew.
Why I Started Watching TED Talks on Disability
To be honest, I stumbled into this world by accident—one click on a Stella Young talk led to a deep dive into voices I should have been listening to long ago. What I found was a mix of humor, frustration, innovation, and radical honesty.
These talks don’t beg for pity or try to “inspire” with suffering. They tell real stories—often funny, sometimes heartbreaking, always thought-provoking.
And if there’s one place I’d start, it’s with Stella.
1. Stella Young: I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much
This talk changed my life. Stella Young, an Australian comedian and disability activist, flips the script on what she calls “inspiration porn.” You know what she’s talking about—that thing where disabled people are seen as heroes for doing everyday stuff like going to school or having a job.
She says it best: “Disability doesn’t make you exceptional. But questioning what you think you know about it does.”
👉 Watch it here on YouTube: Stella Young: I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much
👉 Read the full article on URevolution: “I’m Not Your Inspiration, Thank You Very Much” – Stella Young
👉 Check out the Not Your Inspiration Collection by URevolution—bold apparel with a purpose.
2. Maysoon Zayid: I Got 99 Problems… Palsy Is Just One
Maysoon Zayid is hilarious—and deeply real. As a Palestinian-American comedian with cerebral palsy, she walks us through her life with a perfect mix of humor and brutal honesty. She talks about being rejected in Hollywood, fighting racism and ableism, and forging her own path.
👉 Watch it here: Maysoon Zayid: I Got 99 Problems… Palsy Is Just One
3. Haben Girma: Why Accessibility Is a Right, Not a Privilege
Haben Girma is a Deafblind Harvard Law graduate and disability rights advocate. Her talk is a masterclass in explaining why accessibility isn't a luxury—it's a basic human right.
She shows how tech can break down barriers and urges designers and leaders to think inclusively from the start.
👉 Watch it here: Haben Girma: Why Accessibility Is a Right, Not a Privilege
4. Caroline Casey: Looking Past Limits
This one got me. Caroline Casey didn’t learn she was legally blind until she was 17. Yep—17. Her journey from denial to advocacy is deeply personal and powerful. She challenges all of us to stop limiting people based on what we assume they can or can’t do.
👉 Watch it here: Caroline Casey: Looking Past Limits
5. Temple Grandin: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds
Temple Grandin is one of the most well-known autistic advocates in the world. In this talk, she breaks down neurodiversity in a way that just makes sense. She argues that we need visual thinkers, pattern thinkers, verbal thinkers—all kinds of minds—to innovate and build a better world.
👉 Watch it here: Temple Grandin: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds
6. Judith Heumann: Our Fight for Disability Rights—and Why We’re Not Done Yet
Judith Heumann helped lead the U.S. disability rights movement and fought for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Her talk covers the history of that fight—and why there’s still so much work to do. It’s a reminder that progress doesn’t just happen. People make it happen.
👉 Watch it here: Judith Heumann: Our Fight for Disability Rights
7. Eddie Ndopu: A Bold Vision for the Future of Disability
Eddie Ndopu is fearless. As a South African disability activist and UN official, he talks about what it means to be unapologetically ambitious as a disabled person in a world that often expects humility. His talk is about vision—big, global, revolutionary vision.
👉 Watch it here: Eddie Ndopu: A Bold Vision for the Future of Disability
8. Sue Austin: Deep Sea Diving… in a Wheelchair
Artist Sue Austin redefines what it means to move freely. Using an adapted underwater wheelchair, she glides through coral reefs with grace and beauty. Her talk reframes mobility aids as tools of liberation, not limitation.
👉 Watch it here: Sue Austin: Deep Sea Diving… in a Wheelchair
9. Aimee Mullins: The Opportunity of Adversity
Model, athlete, and double amputee Aimee Mullins delivers a powerful talk about how adversity can spark creativity. She shares how her prosthetics became a canvas for expression—and how she turned perceived limitations into sources of strength.
👉 Watch it here: Aimee Mullins: The Opportunity of Adversity
10. Sam Berns: My Philosophy for a Happy Life
Sam Berns lived with progeria, a rare genetic condition, and passed away just a year after this TEDx Talk. His message is timeless. His talk isn’t about disability—it’s about happiness, purpose, and living meaningfully.
👉 Watch it here: Sam Berns: My Philosophy for a Happy Life
Final Thoughts: Let’s Change the Narrative
These best TED Talks on disability don’t ask for pity or applause—they ask for understanding, inclusion, and action. They challenge you to rethink your assumptions and help amplify voices that too often go unheard.
And if you’re ready to keep the conversation going, read Stella Young’s original article or explore the Not Your Inspiration Collection on URevolution. Let’s move from inspiration to real inclusion.
P.S. I wrote this because I believe storytelling changes lives. If this post sparked something for you, please share it, watch these talks, and have conversations that matter.