You are currently viewing The Power of Disability and Inclusivity in the Beauty Industry
Representation image: This image is an artistic interpretation related to the article theme.

The Power of Disability and Inclusivity in the Beauty Industry

The Power of Disability and Inclusivity in the Beauty Industry

Molly Burke, a 31-year-old Canadian, is a trailblazer in the fashion and beauty industries. She has become a household name, with over 3 million followers on YouTube and TikTok, and has spoken at prominent events such as the United Nations and World Economic Forum. Despite her success, Burke’s journey has not been without challenges. At the age of 14, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that causes low vision. This diagnosis marked a turning point in her life, as she lost most of her sight at 14. “I struggled a lot. I lost all of my friends, I was really badly bullied, depressed and suicidal… 14 is a formative year for anybody, right?”

Burke’s experience with low vision and blindness has given her a unique perspective on the beauty industry. She has realized that the industry’s lack of inclusivity is not only a personal issue but also a business opportunity. She emphasizes the importance of universal design, rather than accessible design, in her approach to the industry. Universal design is a concept that aims to create products and environments that are usable by everyone, regardless of age, size, or ability. Burke’s YouTube channel, which she started at the age of 20, has become a platform for her to share her experiences and provide advice to her audience. She has also partnered with companies such as Google and has spoken at prominent events. Despite her success, Burke faces daily reminders that the world is not built for people like her. She navigates public toilets, for example, which can be an ordeal for many people. “Being blind will be hard as long as the world isn’t accessible. And that was something I had to realise. For so long in my life, I thought I would just work hard enough and get to a certain point where my blindness would no longer matter.”

Burke’s message is clear: the beauty industry needs to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. She emphasizes that designing for disabled people is not a charity, but a business move. “Designing for disabled people, it’s not something I’m saying you should do from the goodness of your heart. This is a business move. One in five Australians live with a disability, representing $40 billion in disposable income. Research from Circana found that inclusive brands are growing 1.5 times faster than their less inclusive competitors.”

Burke’s advocacy has already led to changes in the industry. Companies such as Herbal Essences have incorporated raised dots and stripes into their packaging, making it easier for consumers to differentiate between products. These additions are not just a gesture of goodwill, but a business decision. Burke points out that designing for disabled people is not a costly or niche endeavor, but a necessary step for companies to tap into the vast and growing market of people with disabilities. As Burke prepares to speak at the Boundless Beauty Summit in Australia, she is a symbol of hope and inspiration for many people. Her message is clear: the beauty industry needs to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility, not just for people with disabilities, but for the benefit of everyone.

Breaking Down Barriers in the Beauty Industry

The beauty industry has been slow to adopt accessible design, with only 4% of beauty and personal care brands catering to people with disabilities. Burke’s advocacy has helped to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. Some of the ways that companies can make their products and environments more accessible include:

  • Using raised dots and stripes on packaging to differentiate between products
  • Providing audio descriptions and braille labels on products
  • Creating accessible websites and social media platforms
  • Offering adaptive products and services

Burke emphasizes that designing for disabled people is not a charity, but a business move. She points out that companies that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility are not only doing the right thing, but also tapping into a vast and growing market of people with disabilities.

The Business Case for Inclusivity

The business case for inclusivity is clear. According to research from Circana, inclusive brands are growing 1.5 times faster than their less inclusive competitors. One in five Australians live with a disability, representing $40 billion in disposable income. Burke’s advocacy has already led to changes in the industry. Companies such as Herbal Essences have incorporated raised dots and stripes into their packaging, making it easier for consumers to differentiate between products. These additions are not just a gesture of goodwill, but a business decision. Burke points out that designing for disabled people is not a costly or niche endeavor, but a necessary step for companies to tap into the vast and growing market of people with disabilities.

Company Product/Service Accessible Feature
Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner Raised dots and stripes on packaging
Google Search Engine Audio descriptions and braille labels on search results

The Impact of Inclusivity on Business

The impact of inclusivity on business is significant. Companies that prioritize inclusivity and accessibility are not only doing the right thing, but also tapping into a vast and growing market of people with disabilities. According to research from Circana, inclusive brands are growing 1.5 times faster than their less inclusive competitors. One in five Australians live with a disability, representing $40 billion in disposable income. Burke’s message is clear: the beauty industry needs to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. She emphasizes that designing for disabled people is not a charity, but a business move. “Designing for disabled people, it’s not something I’m saying you should do from the goodness of your heart. This is a business move. One in five Australians live with a disability, representing $40 billion in disposable income. Research from Circana found that inclusive brands are growing 1.5 times faster than their less inclusive competitors.”

The Future of Inclusivity in the Beauty Industry

The future of inclusivity in the beauty industry is bright. Companies such as Herbal Essences and Google are already making changes to their products and services to make them more accessible. Burke’s advocacy has helped to raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. She emphasizes that designing for disabled people is not a charity, but a business move. As Burke prepares to speak at the Boundless Beauty Summit in Australia, she is a symbol of hope and inspiration for many people. Her message is clear: the beauty industry needs to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility, not just for people with disabilities, but for the benefit of everyone.

“Being blind will be hard as long as the world isn’t accessible. And that was something I had to realise. For so long in my life, I thought I would just work hard enough and get to a certain point where my blindness would no longer matter.”

— Molly Burke

Conclusion

The power of disability and inclusivity in the beauty industry is a story that needs to be told. Molly Burke’s journey has shown that with determination and advocacy, people with disabilities can make a real difference in the industry. As we look to the future, it is clear that the beauty industry needs to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility. Companies that do so will not only be doing the right thing, but also tapping into a vast and growing market of people with disabilities. The business case for inclusivity is clear. According to research from Circana, inclusive brands are growing 1.5 times faster than their less inclusive competitors. One in five Australians live with a disability, representing $40 billion in disposable income. As Burke prepares to speak at the Boundless Beauty Summit in Australia, she is a symbol of hope and inspiration for many people. Her message is clear: the beauty industry needs to prioritize inclusivity and accessibility, not just for people with disabilities, but for the benefit of everyone. The future of inclusivity in the beauty industry is bright. With companies such as Herbal Essences and Google leading the way, it is clear that the industry is on the path to greater accessibility and inclusivity. As we look to the future, it is clear that the power of disability and inclusivity in the beauty industry is a story that needs to be told. Molly Burke is a 31-year-old Canadian who has become a household name in the fashion and beauty industries. She has over 3 million followers on YouTube and TikTok, and has spoken at prominent events such as the United Nations and World Economic Forum.

Leave a Reply