Rockville, Virginia — Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications Authors Guide Book for Employers on How to Successfully Hire Persons with Disabilities to drive Better Business Results
Debra Ruh – CEO of Ruh Global Communications
Debra Ruh has written her second book entitled Tapping into Hidden Human Capital: How leading corporations leverage multiple abilities in their workforce. Published by G3ict, the book shows how leading corporations successfully hire persons with disabilities to drive better business results. It guides global corporations as well as beginning entrepreneurs on how to integrate persons with disabilities in every aspect of the workforce. It takes the reader through each step, from recruiting and interviewing them to employing and retaining them as vital employees of companies. The book offers insights and strategies on how to accommodate employees with disabilities, reap from their skills and talents, and transform challenges into successes. Additionally, Mrs. Ruh includes personal accounts from global leaders about how persons with disabilities have enriched their businesses, increased productivity, and lowered turnover rates.
Axel Leblois, G3ict, Executive Director
“This is an outstanding compendium of practical solutions for all employers… From large organizations with a global footprint to entrepreneurs with a few employees, attracting and retaining the right talent is the most critical success factor for their business.”— Axel Leblois, President and Executive Director at G3ict
In a few weeks, an e-book version will be available at Amazon, Apple, and other major e-book vendors.
Ruh Global Logo
About Ruh Global Communications: Founded in March 2013, Ruh Global Communications is a strategic digital marketing firm that helps businesses and government entities include persons with disabilities within every level of an infrastructure, from interviewing and hiring to job training and retention. We help countries implement of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We also work with national and multi-national firms to help them include persons with disabilities in their workforce and developing accessibility and social media programs, providing outreach and training, and helping companies procure assistive technology. Ruh Global has presented at conferences throughout the world about accessibility and disability inclusion.
About G3ict:
G3ict (Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies) is an advocacy organization established by the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development in cooperation with Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UN DESA. Its mission is to help implement and support the Convention of Persons with Disabilities regarding ICTs. G3ict raises awareness of public policies of ICT. It also provides information on ICT policies and solutions on its website www.g3ict.org, an electronic newsletter, worldwide databases on country achievements, companies ICT accessibility policies, and case studies, books and white papers from leading authors and institutions on specific areas of technology or public policy. Additionally, G3ict has developed accessibility toolkits and progress reports.
Author: Rosemary Musachio, Chief Accessibility Officer at Ruh Global Communications
Recently, Ruh Global Communications appointed me its Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO). In my role, I will manage internal and external accessibility projects. I will ensure that accessibility best practices will be followed within the company and help clients meet their accessibility needs, including website and product accessibility. I will consult on accessibility and inclusion issues that clients face from the employee to the customer level.
Every business needs to include accessibility in its fabric to become stronger. Otherwise, it will rip and create big gaps. Making every aspect of a company accessible and inclusive increases productivity, embraces diversity with common goals, and promotes more of a positive image to the public. According to Frances West, CAO of IBM, “Today, it affects everyone’s use of a product or service and helps deliver information in the most consumable way possible. Organizations that have embraced and embedded accessibility throughout the enterprise are better connecting with customers, expanding their market reach and creating an inclusive workplace environment where everyone has the best chance of success.”
Since I have cerebral palsy, I bring a personal perspective to my role as CAO. I know what a company needs to do for employees with disabilities to feel accepted and purposeful, and what a business must do to serve customers with disabilities with consideration and respect. Other persons with disabilities have held CAO or similar positions. For example, Microsoft recently hired Jenny Lay-Flurrie as its new Accessibility Director. Becoming deaf from an ear infection during childhood, Jenny will integrate her personal experiences into her new position. As it’s inferred in the article Talk to the Hand, Lay-Flurrie’s motto “You can do anything” is helping Microsoft execute programs to assist persons with disabilities with technologies. For instance, she helped plan Ability Summit, a showcase of products and services to empower them for the future.
Another accessibility executive who has a disability is Jonathan Avila. His vision impairment has brought a personal perspective to his job also. Who else better than a person who cannot see can develop solutions and innovations for users with vision, as well as other, impairments? Avila also serves on WCAG working group and mobility accessibility task force.
You can be skilled at accessibility testing and know all about best practices and guidelines. But the first-hand experience of facing accessibility barriers gives a CAO an extra edge. It brings empathy to the role, making the CAO passionate about helping businesses bulldoze those barriers that other persons with disabilities have encountered.
If a company even creates a COA or a Director of Accessibility position, it is taking a smart business move. With 15% of the world’s population having a disability and $1 trillion in aggregated spending by consumers with disabilities, appointing a skilled COA will allow a business to be more profitable and reputable. If the skilled COA has a disability, it makes the company more credible, sending a strong message to the public that it is serious about accessibility.
Learn more about our work at www.RuhGlobal.com or follow us on Social Media @rosemusachio, @debraruh and @ruhglobal on most channels.
Rockville, Virginia — Ruh Global Communications, a global leader with corporate inclusion strategies, accessibility advocacy and corporate inclusion industries, announces today it has named Rosemary Musachio Chief Accessibility Officer.
Rosemary Musachio, Chief Accessibility Officer
Ruh Global Communications, an international leader in strategic disability inclusion and accessibly policies, programs and marketing, announced that it has named Rosemary Musachio as Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO). With over fifteen years in the arena of electronic and Information technology (E&IT) accessibility, Miss Musachio will manage internal and external accessibility projects. She will ensure that accessibility best practices will be followed within the company and help clients meet their accessibility needs, including website and product accessibility. Additionally, she will consult on accessibility and inclusion issues that clients face from the employee to the customer level. Prior to this new position, Miss Musachio was the company’s Chief Strategy Officer.
“Every business needs to include accessibility in its fabric to become stronger. Otherwise, it will rip and create big gaps,” Miss Musachio explains. “Making every aspect of a company accessible and inclusive increases productivity, embraces diversity with common goals, and promotes more of a positive image to the public. Since I have cerebral palsy, I bring a personal perspective to my role as CAO. I know what a company needs to do for employees with disabilities to feel accepted and purposeful, and what a business must do to serve customers with disabilities with consideration and respect.”
“Honored to promote Rosemary Musachio as our Chief Accessibility Officer (CAO). She has been in the ICT Accessibility field for over 16 years. She has worked with national and multi-national corporations, non-profits, agencies and organizations all over the world,” says Debra Ruh, Ruh Global Communications, CEO. “Rosemary represents everything we want to achieve in the field. She is a talented technologist, college graduate, tester, user of Assistive Technology (AT), published author, poet, person with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and undisputed global expert in ICT accessibility. This woman is changing the world with her talents and we are extremely proud of her.”
About Rosemary Musachio
Since 2001, Rosemary Musachio has been well versed in the accessibility realm. She has been an accessibility analyst and training manager. She has worked with a number of major cooperate clients on accessibility projects and has written numerous blogs on the topic. Before Rosemary entered the accessibility industry, she was a local monthly columnist and freelance writer. She also edited and published resource newsletters for persons with disabilities.
About Ruh Global Communications:
Founded in March 2013, Ruh Global Communications is a strategic digital marketing firm that helps businesses and government entities include persons with disabilities within every level of an infrastructure, from interviewing and hiring to job training and retention. We help countries implement of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We also work with national and multi-national firms to help them include persons with disabilities in their workforce and developing accessibility and social media programs, providing outreach and training, and helping companies procure assistive technology. Ruh Global has presented at conferences throughout the world about accessibility and disability inclusion.
For further information, please visit us at www.ruhglobal.com , and follow us on Twitter: @RuhGlobal or @DebraRuh. or call: +1 (804) 986-4500
Press Contact:
Debra Ruh, CEO Ruh Global Communications 18122 Vontay Rd. Rockville, VA 23146, USA (804) 986-4500 Debra@RuhGlobal.com www.RuhGlobal.com
Accessibility isn’t a topic that just affects some of us. As no less of an innovator than Google puts it, “the accessibility problems of today are the mainstream breakthroughs of tomorrow.”
We at Buffer are delighted to have Neil Milliken (@neilmilliken), Debra Ruh (@debraruh), Antonio Santos (@akwyz) of AXSChat (@axschat) joining us on Bufferchat today to discuss Supporting Accessibility on Social Media.
Debra Ruh, Neil Milliken, and Antonio Santos, #AXSChat founders#AXSCHAT Logo.
AXSChat is an open online community dedicated to creating an inclusive world with the belief that accessibility is for everyone. The community works to spread knowledge through weekly video interviews and Twitter chats about the work people are doing to enable greater access and inclusion.
It’s a lively chat and community, and we’re grateful for the knowledge and experience. In honor of their Bufferchat today, the minds behind AXSChat shared some of their favorite quotes about accessibility with us.
14 Quotes That Celebrate a More Accessible World
“I wish for a world that views disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities”― Oliver Sacks
“We should celebrate neurodiversity – the world would be poorer and life duller if we were all the same.”―Neil Milliken
“Let’s stop ‘tolerating’ or ‘accepting’ difference, as if we’re so much better for not being different in the first place. Instead, let’s celebrate difference, because in this world it takes a lot of guts to be different.”― Kate Bornstein
“The only disability is when people cannot see human potential.”― Debra Ruh
“If disabled people were truly heard, an explosion of knowledge of the human body and psyche would take place.”― Susan Wendell
“Focus not on the differences of people with disabilities but the talent of the individual.”― Neil Milliken
“When speaking of disabilities, the blind and their needs are most often used as an example. It is deceivingly simplistic since accessibility is something most of the population can benefit from.” ― Marcus Österberg
“Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential.” ― Debra Ruh
“The one argument for accessibility that doesn’t get made nearly often enough is how extraordinarily better it makes some people’s lives. How many opportunities do we have to dramatically improve people’s lives just by doing our job a little better?” ― Steve Krug
“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.” – Tim Berners-Lee
“Accessibility is not a feature, is a social trend.” ― Antonio Santos
“It is a waste of time to be angry about my disability. One has to get on with life and I haven’t done badly. People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.” Steven Hawking
“Who said we want to conform to the norm? Celebrate & embrace our differences.” ― Neil Milliken
“We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability.”― Stevie Wonder
Got a favorite quote we missed? We’d love to hear it in the comments!
AI Business Excellence Banner: Ruh Global Communications ‘Digital Marketing Firm of the Year – VA’
Rockville, VA.—Ruh Global Communications, an international leader in strategic disability inclusion and accessible policies, programs and marketing, has won the Acquisition International Business (AI) Excellence Awards for 2016 as the Strategic Digital Marketing Firm of the Year. These awards recognize and honor outstanding achievements of companies and their executives through a variety of industries that have succeeded despite the high level of corporate competition.
Ruh Global Logo
Ruh Global is one of the award-winning companies that have consistently shown creativity, innovation, and perseverance in building a solid business even though recent economic times have been tough.
Recipients of the AI Business Awards were determined by the number of votes cast by AI subscription members, submission of supporting evidence, and AI in-house research.
Debra Ruh – CEO
“Ruh Global Communications is humbled to win this award. Our global efforts teach countries, agencies, and corporations to include effectively, the community of persons with disabilities into the workforce and respective cultures. As social entrepreneurs, we focus on our efforts to make a positive difference in the world. We are honored to be acknowledged for our efforts,” says Debra Ruh – CEO at Ruh Global Communications.
About Ruh Global Communications
Founded in March 2013, Ruh Global Communications is a strategic digital marketing firm that helps businesses and government entities include persons with disabilities within every level of an infrastructure, from interviewing and hiring to job training and retention. We help countries implement of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We also work with national and multi-national firms to help them include persons with disabilities in their workforce and developing accessibility and social media programs, providing outreach and training, and helping companies procure assistive technology. Ruh Global has presented at conferences throughout the world about accessibility and disability inclusion. For further information, please visit us at RuhGlobal.com , and follow us on Twitter: @RuhGlobal or @DebraRuh.
About Acquisition International
Founded in 2011, Acquisition International, Acquisition International (AI) is a publication that focuses on global corporate news, events, and opinion. The world-known publication has 108,000 subscribers in over 70 companies. AI also maintains an active website with the latest news in the global business world, including the Deal Diary that features 100 daily deals from companies of various industry sections. For further information, visit Acquisition-intl.com.
Author: Rosemary Musachio, Chief Strategic Officer at Ruh Global Communications
Communication between the police and individuals with hearing and/or speech impairments is vital. Miscommunication can cause wrongful arrests or releases, unnecessary agitation or force, or further risk of injury or even death. For instance, If someone with a hearing impairment is stopped by the police, they may be unable to convey the reason for it while the person may not be able to respond to their questions.
Police departments have handled these situations in different ways. Some have deaf individuals write down what they want to say. However, because the syntax of American Sign Language (ASL) is different from that of English, police may have difficulty reading what the deaf person has written. Other police departments call upon live sign language interpreters to come and assist with communication needs. Yet, the interpreter may take an hour or longer arriving at the location.
The Cleveland Police has implemented a more reliable solution to communicate with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. With the help from a portion of a $350,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women, the department purchased an ipad for each district that includes an ipad video interpreter application called ZVRS. To communicate with a crime victim, suspect, or witness who is deaf, a police office would launch the ZVRS app to access a live video interpreter who uses ASL. Cleveland police officers have received training to use the app.
The Houston Police Department also uses Video Remote Interpreters (VRI) to communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. When a deaf individual visits a police station or division, the police officer dials an interpreter. Within minutes, the ASL expert would appear on screen. As the officer talks to the interpreter, the deaf person looks into the monitor to see the interpreter and signs what is being said in real time. In return, the deaf person comments or answers by signing to the camera, while the interpreter voices what they are signing through the speakers on the monitor and police assistance is provided or a report can be made. This service can be utilized 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
Many other police departments such as the New York Police Department are planning to get similar assistance technology (AT) to improve relations with the deaf community, saving time and improving clarity. Better communications makes all parties safer and lesser frustrated.
Universal accessibility in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector holds unparalleled promise and opportunity for people with disabilities never before seen in our history.
Many people are surprised to learn just how much of the world’s population is affected by a disability, and how valuable accessible design of ICT is to the global marketplace. It is also important to note that disabilities are a normal part of life. Persons with disabilities are not broken, they just might navigate the world in a different way. We all can add value when given the opportunity to tap into our unique innate abilities. Accessible ICT is an important part of that equalizing equation.
A Technological World
To understand the impact one has to look no further than the World Health Organization which indicates that people with disabilities are the world’s largest and fastest growing minority group. With the population of the United States aging and the likelihood of developing a disability or other mobility limitation increasing with age, the growth in the number of people with disabilities can be expected to rise dramatically. Also impacting this formula is the growing population of veterans with disabilities.
This is an exciting time, of great promise and opportunity for people of all abilities. This is a new era for global citizens, one where emerging new technologies and mobile computing devices are serving as enablers for people of all ages and all levels of education. Designing and delivering ICT to be fully accessible ensures all individuals can enjoy the benefits and advantages of technology to enrich their lives and fulfill their dreams.
An inclusive, accessible and universal design approach to technology is critical to both public and private industry wishing to anticipate future needs of this growing population. By recognizing the importance of the protection and promotion of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities through assistive technology and accessible ICT, the world continues to strengthen policies, strategies, and programs along with an increase in awareness of the public at large of the importance of the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities, accessible ICT and assistive technology.
My daughter, Sara Ruh, using different Apple Products simultaneously. Sara has Down Syndrome and loves the Accessibility Features that Apple’s Products offer
Experts report that the most obvious and cost effective solutions are often ignored or overlooked, a mistake that organizations and governmental bodies can no longer make when serving all citizens in equal fashion. Making technology usable for all has become imperative for unleashing the potential of all persons and is critical for any public and private institution that hopes to fully participate and remain relevant in the 21st century.
Providing accessible ICT products and services also benefits the growing population affected by age-related impairments, in addition to people with disabilities. It is unwise to ignore the sheer numbers, influence and wealth of these individuals. In the US, baby boomers control $30 trillion according to Accenture.1 There are over 78 million Baby Boomers in the United States. Baby Boomers are Americans born between the years 1946 and 1964.
It is important to note that this is not a USA phenomenon. Throughout the world all populations are seeing burgeoning numbers of “elders”, defined as persons aged 65 years and older. “In many countries, including Japan, the United States, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, those aged over 65 are at, or approaching 15% of the population. People are living longer and are generally healthier at advanced ages than were previous cohorts, thus “old age” disabilities of the 20th century will be put off to older ages during the 21st century.”2
Here are a few recent reports about this trend.
Seniors using Technology
National Institutes of Health cosponsored a report in 2012 that estimates that 2.9 million Americans are living with low vision. The report projects the number to increase 72 percent by 2030 when the last of the baby boomers turn 65. The report also found that many people with low vision are 65 years old or older.3
A report from Clarity® and The EAR Foundation and from that half of the nearly 76 million boomers in the US are experiencing some degree of hearing loss. The Baby Boomer Hearing Loss Study indicate that hearing loss is more prevalent than previously estimated by the National Health Interview Survey. Hearing Loss affects over 38 million people between the ages of 40 and 59. Earlier estimates from the National Health Interview Survey by the National Center for Health Statistics indicated 16 million people, or 20 percent, in a comparable age group were suffering from hearing loss.’4
“Global aging ranks as the most profound demographic trend of our times. It is slowing (or even reversing) population growth, reshaping families, reshuffling consumer markets, force feeding the demand for health care, weighing on public budgets, depressing household savings, accelerating international migration, and revolutionizing the culture.”
According to W3C, Older Web users are an increasing market segment and an important target group for many businesses, governments, and other organizations.
Older adults can experience age-related impairments that can affect how they use the Web, such as declining:
• vision – including reduced contrast sensitivity, color perception, and near-focus, making it difficult to read web pages
• physical ability – including reduced dexterity and fine motor control, making it difficult to use a mouse and click small targets
• hearing – including difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds and separating sounds, making it difficult to hear podcasts and other audio, especially when there is background music
• cognitive ability – including reduced short-term memory, difficulty concentrating, and being easily distracted, making it difficult to follow navigation and complete online tasks
These issues overlap with the accessibility needs of people with disabilities. Thus, websites and tools that are accessible to people with disabilities are more accessible to older users as well.
Demand for accessible technology and services will continue to rise as well as the public’s understanding of, and requirement for, technology that is usable by every citizen.
So how do we do it? The goal is to design built environments and ICT (apps, curriculum, eLearning, hardware, multimedia, mobile, social media, software, and websites) in a way that benefits all users. Person centered design and ICT Accessibility go hand in hand. These design approaches can result in services and products that are easier for everyone to use, including persons with disabilities.
Richard Steitz – Chief Operations Officer
“It is critical at this time for the giant tech companies to start seriously examining the issue of accessible ICT. Not by thinking they must spend millions of R&D dollars to enter into this market space, but rather by leveraging the vast amount of existing technology in their current inventories. By being clever in cross utilizing and repurposing the existing technology in new and unique ways we can see products and systems hit market at a faster rate. This not only benefits the growing portion of the population in desperate need of this technology but also provides the tech companies new product lines across broader markets while saving development dollars. These companies would also harbor the societal befits by being proactive in helping innovate sustainable solutions for the vast growing PWD global community. – Richard J. Streitz, Ruh Global Communications, COO”
Think about what you can do to better reach people with disabilities, and find creative ways to make it happen through accessible technology. Move beyond general steps to protect and promote the rights of people with disabilities, ensure that accessibility is addressed in all policies and programs, promote training on the human rights of persons with disabilities, stop any practice that breach the rights of people with disabilities, and involve people with disabilities in the development of legislation and policies.
Learn more about our work at www.RuhGlobal.com or follow us on Social Media @debraruh and @ruhglobal on most channels.
#AXSChat: Join Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos and myself for a weekly Twitter Chat on Disability Inclusion, ICT Accessibility, Built Environment, CRPD, Empowerment and Employment. Just search the hashtag #AXSChat at 3pmEST and join the conversation. Learn more about AXSChat
I was disturbed with some of the recent disparaging comments women were making about other women in regards to voting based on gender. Especially women my age and older talking down to younger women. I believe that women should always support women. However, we fought hard for our feminist rights. We continue to fight for our rights. We need women to have equal pay, a place at the C suite, a seat in the board room and so much more.
My work is focused on disability inclusion, accessibility and empowering persons with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization there are over 1 billion people with disabilities in the world or 1 in 7 people. Some countries like the United States are higher. According to the Census Bureau, 1 in 5 persons with the United States are living with a disability. One in five American adults have at least one kind of disability, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Released in July 2015. The study, drawn from 2013 data, says 53 million Americans have a disability. “We know disability types and related challenges can vary,” said Elizabeth Courtney-Long, a health scientist with CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “In order to understand and address their needs, we need to understand their diverse circumstances. This report provides a snapshot into that. 1 The Report can be found here
My son and daughter, Kevin and Sara Ruh who has Down Syndrome
Women and girls with disabilities face even bigger barriers and are the victims of two-fold discrimination: as women and as persons with disabilities. Studies conducted by the United Nations women with disabilities are often invisible “both among those promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, and those promoting gender equality and the advancement of women.” 2
Women with disabilities all over the world are shamed, bullied, raped, murdered and treated as if they do not matter. 3 It is past time for all women to be empowered and to support all genders.
Women with disabilities all over the world are shamed, bullied, raped, murdered and treated as if they do not matter. It is past time for all women to be empowered and to support all genders. I have the honor to work with Rosemary Musachio, a brilliant woman and also the Chief Strategic Officer at Ruh Global Communications. Rosemary happens to have been born with Cerebral Palsy. Rose shared her thoughts on this topic with me recently, this is what she said:
“Steinem’s quote is a generalization, which is often detrimental and even dangerous. Her remark may stereotype younger women in a bad light, not caring about anything except self-gratification. If society acquaints this negative image with women who were born after 1990, they may not receive support from other women. They also may not get opportunities that they deserve.
Being a woman with cerebral palsy, I’ve experienced the repercussions of generalization all of my life. The public still automatically links having a disability with not being a productive member of society or my mind being in a wheelchair. Because of this, I constantly have to fight to prove myself. Now, because of Steinem’s comment, millennial women may have to fight to prove themselves.” – Rosemary Musachio, Chief Strategic Officer at Ruh Global Communications
As an undecided voter, I fought for my feminist right to decide on a candidate based on the issues not based on gender. I am also embarrassed of women my age and older telling younger women they don’t understand the fight for equal rights for women. Once while attending a conference for Women Global Leaders, I was talking with several other attendees. One guest brought up how we should be mentoring the younger generation in business leadership. Maybe we could create a program to help millennial women engage with other women on these issues. Several of the women agreed that they would not want to take part in mentoring millennial women. I recall one woman describing young millennials as spoiled, self centered, socially immature and addicted to their devices. I was shocked and commented, “How can you say that? We have fought so hard for women to have a voice. We still have so much work to do.”
How can we decide this of an entire generation? Younger women are not adding value, contributing to the conversation, understand the past fights and are immature? I am personally hooked on social media and my smart devices. I chatter so much on social media about disability inclusion and accessibility for all, that I sometimes stress myself out. The millennial women that I have met are almost always amazing leaders trying to make a huge impact for our world.
As a woman in my late 50’s I meet and work with millennial women all the time. I see many Millennial women highly engaged in social good, social entrepreneurship and “Be-the-Change” type activities. I have met millennial women, including women with disabilities, all over the world that are sacrificing everything to be included. I believe we did not fight this hard for women’s rights to now decide that millennial women do not care for our rights or past efforts. When I speak to young women, they are proud of those who fought for their rights. They look up to these women and it must have really hurt them to hear these comments. I asked the opinion of my Creative Director, Emily Ha. She is a millennial woman whose opinions I’ve come to value. Here’s what she had to say:
Emily Ha – Chief Creative Officer at Ruh Global Communications
“I am a first generation Burmese-American woman who works in the realm of disability inclusion. I advocate for women with disabilities because we all matter and when I say that I’m talking about millennial women as well. Their viewpoint is very unique and at times overlooked. Giving a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves is what I try to do.
I appreciate the struggles of so many human rights advocates from the past, more than I can express. That being said, I am wary of being quick to side with any blanket statement, and certainly don’t appreciate being labeled for having an opinion that may be different. Everyone of us is unique, our experiences and lives differ. Saying that all of one type is like this or that is reductive thinking. Aiding a stereotypical societal view, and one I don’t support. Understanding one another and where people are coming from is tough, but step one is to simply listen before casting judgments. Wouldn’t you assume the same respect of a stranger meeting you for the first time?
Young women are still having to fight those that would limit their voices, freedoms, and equalities. Some Baby Boomers and Generation X-ers have unfairly awarded millennial’s such epithets as “entitled, naïve, coddled, uninformed, lazy, ungrateful, and attention-crazed”. Some even consider millennials to be Tech Savvy to a fault.. But is the vilification fair? We’ve evolved past this ignorance, and we need to stand by our progress.
We should also remember that generational clashes are nothing new. Many past generations of emerging adults have sparked angst and disdain in their predecessors. Even the Baby Boomers had once been labeled the “Me Generation”. Perhaps it’s time we break this pattern and embrace what we each might uniquely offer. – Emily Ha, Creative Director at Ruh Global Communications
We have so many issues to resolve in our world including civil rights for persons with disabilities, climate change, religious freedoms, discrimination, violence and many more issues. I believe it is critical to mentor, empower and encourage younger generations. My generation should support all women of all ages, especially women with disabilities to help them continue to find their voices and join these empowering conversations. Otherwise we may accidentally send the wrong message to others. For example, what messages are we giving to men of all ages especially millennial men? I asked my son, Kevin Ruh a millennial to voice his opinions on this matter.
Kevin Ruh – Chief Marketing Officer at Ruh Global Communications
“Following the campaign news can be tedious. It seems fraught with needless drama and pandering for pandering’s sake. It is a time when we form opinions on who we would like to see become the leader of this country for four years into the future. There are times when I have made quick leaps of faith that people will think the same way as me. At times I am correct, at others I’m dead wrong. Listening to every word out of every potential candidates mouth is not only impossible, but maddening. When someone comes out and makes a late statement, a defining principle, then it is time to really pay attention. Some lost my vote early on by spreading bigoted ideals. I simply cannot support a candidate who is so close minded to human and race relations. When someone tells me that my vote is set to one candidate based on sex they lose my confidence, I support a woman’s right to chose for herself as much as I support anyone’s self choices.
We need to stop falling back into archaic ways, stay alert and listen when it really matters, support the change you want. – Kevin Ruh, Chief Marketing Officer, at Ruh Global Communications
Women should support each other but never take away the right for another woman to vote for someone that has a different gender or opinion than us. Let’s not bully other women that is so sad to watch. Instead we should encourage younger women to find their voice, to have a place at the podium, to fight for their right to decide for themselves. Everyone matters including people like me that are older but please also understand that the Millennials are an amazing generation and they have the ability to change the world and help us evolve.
I am a woman that supports other women. I am a woman that will decide who to vote for based on the candidate that I feel will best lead our country. I am a woman that values diversity. I am a woman that believes that women with disabilities add great value to the world. I am a woman that can think for herself. I am an older woman that is PROUD to work with Millennials to help make the world a more empowering place for all women including women with disabilities. Join us in helping assure that everyone has an empowering voice in our societies especially women and girls with disabilities.
Ruh Global Communications, a global leader with corporate inclusion strategies, accessibility advocacy and corporate inclusion industries, announces today it has named Richard J. Streitz Chief Operating Officer.
As COO, Mr. Streitz will have overall responsibility for the company’s growing domestic and international operations, including strategic business development, implementing global growth strategies, and overseeing the company’s recently expanded services in the North American and European regions. He will focus on continuing to build a strong, client-focused organization, while increasing efficiency across all aspects of operations. In addition, he will have day to day responsibilities over finance, marketing, logistics and information technology.
”This re-alignment strengthens our executive management team and greatly adds to our capacity to implement our growth strategy,” said Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications. “Richard’s proven outstanding leadership and deep knowledge of the industry coupled with his international corporate experience will be instrumental in aligning Ruh Global Communications to meet the present and future needs of the company implementing inclusionary corporate strategies worldwide.”
Ruh Global Communications recently expanded its domestic and international operations as part of its strategic growth plan to accommodate a rapidly growing list of customers exploring corporate inclusionary strategies globally. PRESS RELEASE R. Streitz – COO Ruh Global Communications
“The increasing value of corporate inclusionary strategies properly implemented has made accessibility management an essential component to developing corporate level inclusion strategies that strengthen engagement within their respective communities,” added Ruh. “With Richard leading our global operations, I have full confidence that Ruh Global Communications will continue to be a resource and a trusted strategic partner for larger corporations, institutions and governmental agencies worldwide.”
Richard Streitz first worked together with Debra Ruh in 2011 when he was president of an international resort and entertainment development company. Richard worked with Debra’s group to assist in reviewing the company’s inclusion practices through its worldwide strategic planning, project development, corporate branding and international marketing. Recently, Richard served as consulting executive director of corporate strategies for Ruh Global Communications, where he helped develop macro level planning for their new global client services.
Prior to joining Ruh Global Communications, Mr. Streitz was President of S&S Theme Parks and Resorts S.A., a Costa Rican company focused on creating universal designed living, entertainment and recreational built environments. Richard also worked for the prestigious Walt Disney Imagineering group for over a decade where he was actively involved with supervising the design, fabrication and construction efforts for their attractions, theme parks and resorts in Europe, Asia and the USA. Mr. Streitz has served on the Board of many different companies and non-profit organizations where he enjoys sharing his corporate expertise and international experience for a greater common good.
About Ruh Global Communications: Ruh Global Communications are experts in compliance and ICT Accessibility (CRPD, Section 503, 504, and 508 and ADA). We understand the unique needs of businesses and organizations and how to protect them by reducing risks, while at the same time maximizing value and ROI based on crucial accessibility initiatives. Our goal is to ensure that our clients are aware of and prepared for mounting changes in global and national accessibility and disability guidelines and mandates. We possess the inherent capability of realistically evaluating accessibility and compliance technology, as well as disability employment solutions, from the perspective of the target audience – people with disabilities. Ruh Global Communications is privately held and headquartered in Rockville Virginia.
For more information, visit Ruh Global or call: +1 (804) 986-4500
Press Contact:
Debra Ruh, CEO Ruh Global Communications 18122 Vontay Rd. Rockville, VA 23146, USA (804) 986-4500 Debra@RuhGlobal.com www.RuhGlobal.com
Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications, Founder of TecAccess
I am often asked in my global travels, – “Why does the United States litigate so much?Why do you always sue each other?”Or I get comments that start like this: “You Americans..” That always make me smile and cringe because I figure the person is going to take a shot at my country. I am proud to be an American, but I also believe that the United States can learn a lot from other countries on many subjects, especially on Disability Inclusion, ICT Accessibility and Accessibility of the Built Environment.So why does the United States litigate so much?
Recently, an accessibility expert from Sweden asked me a question during #AXSChat, a tweet-chat held each Tuesday at 3pm on Twitter about #Disability Inclusion and Accessibility.She said, “Debra, do you think the United States would have made as much progress without litigation?”I have been asked that question many times in my travels.
I answered, “Unfortunately, I do not think we would have had the same progress.Our reality is that in the US we create legislation and then pound out our laws by litigating with each other.Then we refer to the legal cases to determine the best way to follow and strengthen our laws.”
Neil Milliken, Head of Accessibility and Digital Inclusion at Atos and co-founder of #AXSChat, sees litigation for accessibility as a possible solution elsewhere.
Neil Milliken
“In the UK disability legislation has since 2010 been part of the broader Equality Act (EQA2010). Whilst there have been a few cases they have predominantly focused on services and employment the law places a duty on organizations and people not to discriminate and to be proactive in doing so.
Although I am not a fan of the sometimes parasitic model of litigation that we see outlined by Debra in the US, I do feel that accessibility in the UK could benefit from a test case much like some of the early class action cases in the US so that case law can help define and refine the understanding of Digital Accessibility and companies can meet what are currently poorly understood and often ignored legal obligations.”
Although the process took many years to achieve, I will never forget the brave leaders who fought for our rights for so long. Staging protests, rallying, speaking to the press, and organizing events all strongly affected the eventual passage of the ADA. One protest stands out to me. It became known as “the Capital Crawl”. Over 1,000 disability rights activists and protesters left their wheelchairs and mobility devices and crawled up the 83 steps of our Capital Building, simply asking for the same rights and equality any other American had.
These amazing leaders fought for the Civil Rights for Persons with Disabilities. As a result, the
Image Credit. Capital Crawl – American with Disabilities Act of 1990, ADA supporters crawling up the steps of the U.S. Capital building on March 12, 1900
American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George Bush on July 26th, 1990. Our family applauded these leaders knowing that they were fighting for all of our rights, including those of our daughter, Sara Ruh who was born in 1987 with Down syndrome.
Would the United States have made as much progress without laws like the ADA or Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508, 504 and 503?I do not believe we would have made the progress.I also believe that these leaders efforts encouraged other countries to fight and to continue to fight for their rights.Now we have the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (CRPD).I am hopeful the United States will ratify that convention in 2016.
Could we have made as much progress without these laws and litigation?I do not think we would have.Why?Organizations mean well, -but they have many competing interests.For clarification, -I use the word “organizations” as a placeholder for corporations, nonprofits, universities, local, state and federal agencies.
President George Bush signs the ADA into Law on July 26, 1990 – Surrounding him on the South Lawn of the White House are (left to right, sitting) Evan Kemp, Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Justin Dart, Chairman of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities; (let to right, standing) Rev. Harold Wilke and Swift Parrino, Chairperson, National Council on Disability. Image from the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. Photo Credit linked in Image.
Most organizations create an annual strategic plan and update it throughout the year.The organization has to determine their strategic focus by considering many moving parts including changing laws, standards, industry changes, business climate, and risks.
Inclusion of individuals with disabilities has become more of a risk in the last few years.A few years ago a colleague mentioned a conversation with a General Counsel of a Fortune 100 firm.The General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer noted that he had accessibility on his risk list for many years but it was way down on his list – maybe on the 15th page of things he was worried about. He noted that recently it has moved up to about page 3.Still not the top three things that kept him up at night, but it had moved up significantly on the things that were adding risk to the firm.What is keeping him up at night? These organizations have a lot of risk to worry about- such as privacy, security, globalization, branding, changing technology, and many other items.
For years, the United States has seen ADA complaints and lawsuits about disability discrimination and inaccessible websites.Most of this litigation is settled out of court.The most famous case was the complain against www.Target.com that turned into a class action lawsuit and was eventually settled out of court.It is interesting to note that www.Target.com is now one of the most accessible websites.
A Handicap Symbol with Target Logo within the wheelchair. Image Credits.
There is a troubling trend happening in the United States with a significant uptick in legal complaints and filings.Recently a law office sent a letter out to many major online retailers threatening them with lawsuits because their websites were not compliant or accessible.The letter told the retailers not to reach out to accessibility consultants.Instead, they were told to contact the law office and they would arrange to get them accessibility help with their websites.
A growing group of lawyers seems to realize that they can make a lot of money filing complaints against businesses. Image Credits – Laptop Image created by Emily Ha
Most of these attorneys are conscientious and want to assure that the websites are accessible to individuals with disabilities. However, a growing group of lawyers seems to realize that they can make a lot of money filing complaints against businesses and universities.Why?Well, most websites are still inaccessible to persons with disabilities.They understand that inaccessible websites can be a gold mine if lawsuits are won or settled on the behalf of the plaintiff.
Lady Justice with money tipping the scale.
Some lawyers actually do not care if the website is ever made accessible.They work with clients with disabilities and go to different websites and see if they are accessible.If they are not accessible, the lawyer files a case and hires an accessibility subject matter expert to validate that the site is not accessible.Then the organization being litigated against agree to pay a settlement.The attorney takes the lion share and then pays out the plaintiff.Those law firms keep accessibility experts on retainers and some are getting a large lump sum for each case. Generally, these cases do not go to trial.The problem is that the websites are not made accessible so individuals with disabilities lose.
This also happens with ADA complaints against small businesses because the business was not physically accessible.I understand the ADA is over 25 years old and it is past time that the Built Environment and Internet, Communications and Technology should be accessible.My complaint is directed to lawyers who make money via litigation but there are no expectations of access.
“ADA Requirements” on a laptop’s screen. Image Credits. Laptop ADA Image created by Emily Ha
Universities are also being targeted because of inaccessible websites, student portals, eLearning and other accessibility issues with their ICT.Individuals with disabilities are attending and graduating from universities in record numbers in the United States.It is critical that all students have full access to every aspect of the educational process.
Dr. Christopher Lee
“It’s true that U.S. higher education institutions face liability for inaccessible web content and technologies much like they did in the 1990s with inaccessible buildings. In fact, at last count, we’ve had over 27 higher education accessibility lawsuits, complaints, and settlements in recent times. However, there is very limited advocacy coming from people with disabilities compared to the ‘Capital Crawl’ movement. The driving force for change has been the National Federation of the Blind and the U.S. Department of Labor and their federal agency counterparts.
What can Universities do to protect themselves from legal complaints while still meeting the needs of the students with disabilities? The first and primary step is to develop and implement an information and communication technology (ICT) accessibility institutional policy and procedure.
There are several resources and good examples to draw upon. One helpful resource is the summary web page that has been published by The University of Washington. What we’ve seen is that ensuring compliance, securing the resources and maintaining procedures as technology shifts are usually the primary challenges institutions face.” -Dr. Christopher Lee, Department Head of AMAC Accessibility Solutions and Research Center
Some lawyers are adding a lot of value to these conversations.One of the best recognized attorneys in my opinion is Lainey Feingold.Lainey has become a champion to many in the community of persons with disabilities.
I visited her website, and gathered this information.
Lainey Feingold is a disability rights lawyer who works primarily with the blind and visually impaired community on technology and information access issues. She is nationally recognized for negotiating landmark accessibility agreements and for pioneering the collaborative advocacy and dispute resolution method known as Structured Negotiations.
Structured Negotiation is a collaborative and solution-driven dispute resolution method conducted without litigation. The goal is to help the organization become accessible so that the community of persons with disabilities and many other parts of the population, including aging citizens and non-native speakers, can have access to the content of your website with no ulterior motive.
Structured Negotiation appears to be a win win for everyone because the goal is to reduce the digital divide and provide access to everyone.
What do you think?Are we moving equal rights to technology, employment, transportation, housing and other parts of society forward by litigating in the US?
Join Neil Milliken, Antonio Santos and me on our weekly Twitter Chat. Just search the hashtag #AXSChat at 3pmEST and join the conversation. We chat about disability inclusion, empowerment, employability and accessibility.
