Debra Ruh
Debra Ruh (born 1958) is an advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities. She is married to Edward Ruh and has two children Sara Renee Ruh and Kevin Mitchell Ruh. She was the CEO and Founder of TecAccess, LLC, an internationally renowned consulting firm focused on accessibility of information technology products. Ruh's daughter was diagnosed with down syndrome[1] and helped Debra find what she is so very passionate for. She was the CEO and Founder of TecAccess LLC, which was an internationally renowned consulting firm focused on accessibility of information technology products. Bloomberg Businessweek's said that “TecAccess offers IT accessibility and Section 508 compliance solutions to private corporations, businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies.”.[2] Debra continues to speak around the globe about full accessibility of information technology and communications for persons with disabilities, on the subject of telework, and TecAccess' model for employing persons with disabilities. TecAccess was so successful that it received global attention and merged with SSB BART Group in the April of 2010.[3] Additionally, she speaks around the globe about full accessibility of information technology and communications for persons with disabilities, and on the subject of telework, TecAccess’ model for employing persons with disabilities. TecAccess merged with SSB BART Group in April 2010. Debra stayed on as their Chief Marketing Officer.
In January 2013 Debra started another LLC called a new firm called Ruh Global Communications. which focuses on (Strategic Communications) and Digital Marketing. This firms objective is to help corporations strategically include People with Disabilities and help governments implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Debra has built relationships with many multi-national firms advising firms about incorporating people with disabilities. Some of the companies that she has helped include E&Y, MS, IBM, HP, Verizon, AT&T, Wells Fargo, Best Buy, Deloitte, TD Bank, CVS and Walgreens. Debra has advised global leadership to governments and disability organizations all over the world. She is an advisor to Government of Egypt, Singapore, Kenya, Oman and Bahamas supporting research, outreach, policy and standards initiatives with public and private sectors with the rights of the disabled.
In November 2014 Debra co-founded a social media venture - AXSChat (access chat) with Neil Milliken & Antonio Santos. AXSChat is an open online community aimed at promoting innovation and awareness in the field of disability and digital inclusion. There is a weekly video interview with a guest followed by a 1 hour Twitter chat on the #AXSChat hashtag. The guests and topics are drawn from across a wide spectrum and the chat has grown rapidly in popularity to become the leading Twitter chat in Europe on any topic and in the top ten chats globally.
List of Speeches
- Cairo Egypt, The Egyptian Ministry for Communications and Information Technology for People with Disabilities (April 2013)
- Singapore, Keynote Towards An Inclusive Workforce 2013 (September 2013)
- Vilamoura Portugal, AAATE (September 2013)
- Madrid Spain, Keynote for International Congress on Design, Research Networks, and Technology for All DRT4ALL 2013 (September 2013)
- Muscat Oman, eAccessibility (July 2012)
- Canadian Association of Supported Employment (CASE 2012), keynote speaker (June 2012)
- New Hampshire Vocational Rehabilitation Annual Meeting, keynote speaker (June 2012)
- Mada Center, Doha, Qatar – keynote speaker on Employment of People with Disabilities and ICT Accessibility (Nov 2011)
- Q3ict, M-Enabling International Conference on Mobile Accessibility (Dec 2011)
- Randolph Macon College, spoke to master level students about social entrepreneurship
- USBLN, multiple presentations on employing people with disabilities and ICT Accessibility
- US Census Bureau, keynote speaker for Disability Employment Month (Oct 2011)
- PacRim: University of Hawaii asked Debra and two colleagues to provide keynote speech for employers (April 2011)
- CSUN(International Conference for PwD), San Diego CA (2007 – 2012)
- ATIA (National conference for Assistive Technology), Orlando, Florida (2006 – 2012)
- International Conference on the Rights of People With Disabilities in Germany, 2009
- United Nations International Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, 2009
- Partnered with IBM to provide training for the Chinese Government in Beijing and Beihai, 2008
- Georgia Accessible Travel Symposium, 2008
- Best Buddies National Conference, Indiana University (Debra and Sara Ruh), 2008
- Walter Reed Army Hospital: October 2008
- Veterans with Disabilities: November 2008, PABLN
- EU Council about the certification of ICT Accessibility, 2007
- Tunisia by the Government of Tunisia on the Rights of People With Disabilities, 2006
- (list taken from ruhglobal communications website http://www.ruhglobal.com/speaker/)
Awards
- Wells Fargo and NAWBO Trailblazer Award 2007
- Virginia Business Magazine's "Small Business Success Story of the Year" , Feb. 2008
- U. S. Secretary of Labor’s “New Freedom Initiative Award” , October 2005
- 2005 Virginia Small Business Administration’s “Minority Small Business Person of the Year” , August 2005
- National Association of Women Business Owners “Rising Star” award, October 2005
- Lighthouse International “Career Award,” April 2005
- Kiwanis Club “Humanitarian of the Year Award,” November 2005
- Virginia Business Magazine “Most Powerful Woman in IT,” May 2005
- “Top 100 Diversity Owned Businesses,” by Diversitybusiness.com , September 2005
References
- ↑ Rayasam, Ranuka (November 6, 2006). "How Hiring the Disabled Means Good Business". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ↑ "TecAccess LLC: Private Company Information".
- ↑ Springer, Timothy. "SSB BART Group and TecAccess Announce Strategic Partnership – Press Release".