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February 4, 2016

Why Is Apple Embracing the Community of People with Disabilities?

TecAccess, Making the world of technology accessible

Why Is Apple Embracing the Community of People with Disabilities?

Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications, Founder of TecAccess

By Debra Ruh, CEO and Founder of Ruh Global Communications

Apple is said to be taking steps to make its iPhone and iPad more user-friendly for people with disabilities. Since the products all use touch screens, some with visual or mobility impairments can have trouble with the devices; however, in a recent filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple has said it is seeking to patent a method for connecting its products to accessories that could act in place of a touch screen. I know their products have always been thoughtfully designed, with assistive technology included in all of their devices as a standard feature. Now it looks like they are planning to take it a step further – raising the bar for accessible mobile technology.

Apple and Accessibility Image from: www.rde.nsw.edu.au

So why does Apple care so much whether or not people with disabilities can use their products?

I recently joined the legions of Apple users by buying and falling in love with my iPad2. My son, a senior in VCU Arts College, has been a long-time fan of Apple products and encouraged me to give them a try. At first I was all thumbs and couldn’t even figure out simple things like cut and paste. I was a programmer for many years, and because of that I think the problem was that I was trying to make everything so complicated. I had been training myself for many, many years to navigate around my Windows based PCs, and I wasn’t expecting my iPad to be so intuitive. Don’t get me wrong I am still a big fan of my PC and Windows, but I do adore my iPad2.

My daughter, Sara Ruh, using different Apple Products simultaneously. Sara has Down Syndrome and loves the Accessibility Features that Apple's Products offer — My daughter, Sara Ruh, using different Apple Products simultaneously. Sara has Down Syndrome and loves the Accessibility Features that Apple’s Products offer

I didn’t have to go to Apple to get a tablet – there are some amazing tablets on the market that use Windows based operating systems. Still, I am a technologist and I have been reading all the amazing articles about how accessible the iPhones and iPads are for my community – the community of people with disabilities.

My husband and I have two children, Kevin 23 and Sara 24. Sara was born with Down syndrome and she has inspired me every day of my life. Sara took to the iPad2 like a fish to water. I was so surprised because as I fumbled along trying to make my PC brain work on the iPad she was just zooming along. Flipping on movies, eBooks, podcasts and music, and let me tell you she is an expert at purchasing items from iTunes. It was amazing to watch and I wondered how much better her education would have been if she would have had access to a device like the iPad.

As a parent, I am grateful to Apple for including her in the wonderful digital movement. She is saving her money to buy her own iPad so she can have full access. Now if only I could figure out how to lock her out of iTunes! (Guess I will have to ask Sara how to do that…)

Okay, so why does Apple care about someone like me – a middle aged, working mother of two children-one of which happens to have Down Syndrome?

Well, according to She-conomy, an online guide for marketing to women, women account for 85% of all consumer purchases, including everything from autos to health care.

Plus, like my own, 1 in 3 households in the US are impacted by someone with disabilities. Likewise, the 2000 U.S. Census reported that almost 42% of older adults (65+ years) have one or more disabilities. In fact, the percentage of people with disabilities is larger than any single ethnic, racial, or cultural group. At 19.3%, the number of people with disabilities exceeds the next largest group – Hispanic people (14.9%) – by a fairly wide margin.

In the UK, the numbers are also equally as large. For example — CSR Europe, a European business network of Corporate Social Responsibility, estimates that 8.6 million people (aged 16 and over) self-identify as having a disability, which translates into 15% of the population. Those over 50 years of age currently account for one fifth of the UK population, and they own more than 80 percent of the country’s asset wealth and are the group most likely to vote in general elections. Surprising to some, 33% of 50-60 year olds now have a disability.
In all of Europe it is estimated that at least 39 million people have a disability. It is also estimated that in every country 10 to 20 percent of the population has some form of disability, a number that is expected to grow.

On a global scale, the National Organization on Disabilities says that this powerful group controls over $3 Trillion in discretionary income worldwide, and the numbers are growing.

Why would a company as smart as Apple care about this segment? I would say that it’s because it is providing them a solid return on investment and they are making a profit for their efforts. My family will certainly continue to buy their products – not only because they are convenient and easy to use, but because we choose to support companies that make their products and services accessible to ALL people.

Kudos to Apple – I wish them huge success in all of their future endeavors!

For further information about TecAccess and their current endeavors, visit their website at SSB Bart Group

Follow Ruh Global Communications — To follow up on Debra Ruh’s current endeavors, follow her on social media: @DebraRuh or visit Ruh Global Communications

February 4, 2016

Amazon, Kindle Fire – We JUST want to buy your products!

Ruh Global Communications Logo

By Debra Ruh, CEO and Founder of Ruh Global Communications

Amazon logo from: amazon.com

My family has been an Amazon customer for many years and I use the Kindle application. I was discouraged to learn that Amazon’s latest Kindle the Kindle Fire is once again NOT accessible to people with vision loss. I was shocked to read the NFB and AFB press release and blogs noting that Amazon Kindle Fire was not accessible to people with vision loss? How can that happen again? Accessibility has built accessible products and this process should have been built into the process life cycle?

National Federation of the Blind Condemns Lack of Access to New Kindle Fire, Baltimore, Maryland (September 29, 2011): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Blind Americans have repeatedly asked Amazon to include accessibility for the blind in its Kindle product line. The feasibility of including accessibility in similar products has been demonstrated. The Department of Education and the Department of Justice have made it clear that Kindle devices cannot be purchased by educational institutions, libraries, and other entities covered by this country’s disability laws unless the devices are fully accessible. Despite all this, Amazon has released a brand new Kindle device, the Kindle Fire, which cannot be used by people who are blind. Enough! We condemn this latest action by Amazon and reiterate that we will not tolerate technological discrimination. The National Federation of the Blind seeks nothing less than equal access to all technology for blind people. It is one of the most critical civil rights issues facing blind Americans in the twenty-first century, and we will do everything in our power to see that this right is secured.”

National Federation of the Blind - Image from: nfb.org/kindle-books — National Federation of the Blind – Image from: nfb.org/kindle-books

Darren Burton writes a blog for AFB: “I have written several articles in AFB’s AccessWorld Magazine chronicling the lack of accessibility of Amazon’s Kindle electronic book reading devices as they have evolved over the last few years. The original Kindle was completely inaccessible to blind people, and our community protested loudly and clearly. Amazon responded by adding some text-to-speech functionality to the second and third versions. Although that still did not lead to what I would call an accessible Kindle, the incremental improvements did give us some hope for the future.

Bookshare - image from www.bookshare.org — Bookshare – image from www.bookshare.org

Unfortunately, that appears to have been wasted hope as Amazon recently announced the impending release of the new Kindle Fire. The Fire is a touch-screen version of their popular device, and I understand that this version will again be completely inaccessible to blind people. To be blunt, I am absolutely disgusted with Amazon, as they apparently have no shame. They have no excuse in this day and age, as it has already been proven by Apple that a touch screen tablet can be made accessible. Amazon knows very well that we expect equal access to their devices, and they turned their backs on us once again. It is simply outrageous that Amazon and others who create many of today’s electronic books also create barriers for millions of potential customers who are blind. For people with vision loss eager to read, I recommend ebooks from Apple’s iBooks app on the iPhone/Pod/Pad. Bookshare is also a great resource.” 1

As noted by NFB and AFB, the community has been through this situation with Amazon several times before. The first version of the Kindle was accessible and was applauded by the community of people with disabilities. The community also bought many of these devices. We were dismayed when they next version was inaccessible and the community voice their concerns.

“Arizona State University’s decision to use the Kindle 2 in a pilot program has drawn criticism from advocates for the blind, who say the electronic book reader is inaccessible to blind students. The National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind are seeking a preliminary injunction in federal court to stop ASU’s plan to use the device in place of traditional textbooks in three class sections. They say ASU’s decision to pilot the Kindle discriminates against blind students because they cannot access all of the device’s features. At issue is the Kindle’s navigation menu, which contains no audio option. A blind person cannot select a book or activate features such as the function to have the book read aloud. Advocacy groups want ASU to hold off until the device is fully accessible. They worry that if the pilot succeeds, more professors will start incorporating Kindles into their classrooms.”2

The debate raged and got international attention and Amazon finally decided to make the Kindle 2 accessible.

Kindle Text to Speech- Image from www.wikihow.com

“The Authors Guild has objected to the Kindle 2’s text-to-speech feature and Amazon — which also sells audiobooks — is giving publishers the ability to stop it working. Following objections from the Authors Guild in the US, Amazon has caved on the text-to-speech features of the new Kindle 2 ebook reader. It will now enable publishers and authors to disable the text-to-speech (TTS) function if they want. There shouldn’t be anything controversial about TTS: it’s been available on personal computers since the 1970s. It’s important to people who have impaired or no vision, but little used by anyone else. However, the Authors Guild argues that the audio rights for a book are different from the reading rights, even if the audio is provided by a software robot.”3

The community also took the time to praise Amazon after the made the Kindle accessible and we rewarded them by purchasing their products and services. See the following note by the NFB after Amazon released an accessible version.

“National Federation of the Blind Commends Amazon on Unveiling of New

A Kindle in a Bike Basket - Image from www.beyond-black-friday.com — A Kindle in a Bike Basket – Image from www.beyond-black-friday.com

Accessible Kindle, Baltimore, Maryland (July 29, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) today commended Amazon on the unveiling of a new, accessible Kindle. Amazon announced Wednesday that the new Kindle will come equipped with a voice guide that reads all menu options aloud so blind and other print-disabled people can navigate the device menus. Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “We commend Amazon on the unveiling of a new Kindle that blind and print-disabled people can use. In order to compete in today’s digital society, blind and print-disabled people must be able to access the same reading technologies as the sighted. The National Federation of the Blind has long been urging Amazon to make its reading device accessible, and we are pleased that our efforts have come to fruition.”4

It is a shame when the next version of an accessible product was released in an inaccessible version. 1 out of 3 households in the U.S. is impacted by disabilities. Worldwide, this group numbers 500-750 million people and is a key influencer of the public’s perceptions. The Internet has opened many opportunities and has greatly improved the quality of life for these users, but they still face barriers. You might think of disabilities in extreme terms such as blindness and deafness, but it also includes many others with visual or hearing impairments that are increasingly common in our aging population, and other challenges such motor and cognitive impairment. Can any organization afford to lose this audience?

Amazon is a wonderful company and I am sure they will make the new Amazon Kindle Fire accessible but it would be nice if it could become part of the process so that all future released will be accessible. It sends mixed messages to the community for the products to be released inaccessible and then after we make a fuss the product is made accessible. Why not just make is accessible from the beginning? We all want to buy and enjoy your products, please consider making all products and services accessible during the development life cycle.

References:

1. The Latest Amazon Kindle: Lighting a Fire of Outrage by Darren Burton on 10/5/2011 2:32:50 PM
http://www.afb.org/blog/blog.asp?BlogID=7&BlogEntryID=196

2. Advocates for blind students sue ASU over Kindle use. Anne Ryman – Jul. 27, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/07/27/20090727nobooks0724lawsuit.html

3. Amazon caves to Authors Guild over Kindle’s text-to-speech reading

4. National Federation of the Blind Commends Amazon on Unveiling of New Accessible Kindle7/29/2010
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=625

5. The Latest Amazon Kindle: Lighting a Fire of Outrage by Darren Burton on 10/5/2011 2:32:50 PM
http://www.afb.org/blog/blog.asp?BlogID=7&BlogEntryID=196

February 4, 2016

Debra Ruh Makes High-tech available to those who are Disabled

TecAccess, Making the world of technology accessible

Debra Ruh makes high-tech available to those who are Disabled

TechAccess, works with businesses large and small to ensure the disabled can use their products.

By David Karas, Contributor / August 2, 2011
Christian Science Monitor

Debra Ruh, CEO of TecAccess and her daughter, Sara Ruh

Debra Ruh’s life changed dramatically when her four-month-old daughter, Sara, was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

While the news was devastating, Ms. Ruh decided to turn her family’s challenge into a blessing and a redirection.

Harnessing her technological expertise, Ruh started TecAccess, a company with the core mission of making Information and Communication Technologies more accessible, notably to those with disabilities.

“We make sure technology is accessible to everybody,” Ruh says. “Everything that we choose to put out on the internet [as well as the newest gadgets on the market] … all of that should be accessible to people with disabilities.”

Working with corporations and businesses large and small, Ruh’s Rockville, Va.-based company aims to ensure that those with any disabilities, whether physical, developmental, or mental, have the same access to web pages, videos, programs, and tech products as do those without disabilities.

Walgreens logo. Image from walgreens.com

Her firm has worked with prominent companies such as Canon, Dell, HP, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Bank of America, among others, to help them meet accessibility mandates, serve as models for best practices, and reach an audience that is often left out of the market.

HP logo. Image from www.hp.com

Her firm has also studied the accessibility of websites for Best Buy, Walgreens, and CVS, among others.

“These large, multinational companies – they truly do want their products and services to be fully accessible,” says Ruh, adding that there is a business opportunity in broadening the market for a given company’s products. One in three American households is touched by a disability, Ruh says, making these families a sizable market.

It’s also important that those with disabilities have access to social media sites. “By not including people with disabilities, we are increasing the digital divide,” she says.

“Practice what you preach” has not been lost on Ruh: A majority of her own employees are disabled.

“We just welcome technologists with disabilities into our workforce,” Ruh says. Her staff includes members who are blind, hard of hearing, quadriplegic, and bipolar, as well as those diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and severe depression.

“Companies still don’t see the value in employing people with disabilities,” she says, adding that her company sees it as making sense, especially given its mission.

Many people are not born with disabilities, but rather acquire them at some point in their lives, she says. But that does not mean they cannot be good employees whose expertise and skills can be harnessed.

SSB Bart Group Logo. Image from: www.ssbbartgroup.com/

The recession has hit her company hard, and Ruh has worked out a merger with another company with the same mission – SSB Bart Group. Today, the two function together, harnessing shared resources and client bases.

Ruh says she feels a purpose behind what she is doing and a calling that she strives to serve.

“I have a story that is unfolding, and I’ve been fascinated watching it unfold – and at times stressed out watching it unfold,” she says during a phone interview.

At the center of that story is her daughter, Sara.

She recalls the shock that came after her daughter’s diagnosis, which neither she nor her husband had even considered during her pregnancy. While there have been struggles, Ruh says, she calls her daughter to be a blessing.

Sara Ruh, Chief Inspiration

“We’ve always lived our lives like that,” she says. “Sara was always a gift. It’s not a tragedy.”

Sara is now 24, and she remains the focal point of her mother’s efforts.

Ruh says there’s still a need for a better understanding of disabilities in America.

“We still tend to look at people with disabilities with sadness or the charity model,” she says. “People are still very uneducated on the topic … [but] there are too many people impacted to ignore it.”

For further information about TecAccess and their current endeavors, visit their website at SSB Bart Group

January 26, 2016

Sara Ruh Wins Top 40 Under 40 Award

TecAccess, Making the world of technology accessible

Style Weekly Cover - Top 40 under 40 — Style Weekly Cover – Top 40 under 40

Rockville, VA – October 16, 2008 — Richmond, Virginia – Style Weekly has selected Sara Ruh, inspiration for TecAccess, as one of 2008 “Top 40 Under 40” award winners. Top 40 Under 40, which was launched by Style´s sister publication, Inside Business, is an annual tradition now organized by Style Weekly to honor rising young catalysts making a difference in both business and community.

“Sara Ruh´s business card lists her official job title as ´Inspiration.´ No single word could be more appropriate to describe this young Hanover resident born with Down syndrome,” writes Chris Dovi of Style Weekly. “In a society that just a few decades ago viewed people with her disability as little more than an unfortunate burden, Ruh pushes back.”

Sara Ruh, Chief Inspiration

“I´m just like everybody else,” says Ruh, whose high-energy activism has helped shape TecAccess into today´s leading—and most award-winning—accessibility and workforce solutions consultancy in the industry. “My disability allows me to see the world differently and with new ideas. I help give a voice to others that may not have the ability to speak. I want to make a difference in the world. I also believe that the world is a better place because I am part of it,” says Ruh.

Serving as both an international keynote speaker on the topic of disabilities, and a TecAccess employee, Sara travels the world with a mission to improve accessibility and employment options in competitive job fields in the community for others with disabilities. For these efforts Style Weekly selected Ruh as a Top 40 Under 40 award winner, making her the youngest person to receive the award. Ruh was greeted with a standing ovation at the Style Weekly award reception where fellow young catalysts shared their innovative ideas with the business community.

For more, visit Style Weekly.

About TecAccess

TecAccess is the most awarded risk management and accessibility consultancy in the world. TecAccess turns potential risks into a marketplace advantage through leading accessibility services and products. With a focus on Section 508 compliance, TecAccess makes Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) accessible to the world´s largest and fastest growing demographic – people with disabilities. TecAccess is a certified Woman-Owned and SBA certified 8(a) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB).

For further information about TecAccess, visit SSB Bart Group

January 26, 2016

Sara Ruh Wins 2010 Compass Award

TecAccess, Making the world of technology accessible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1UMk04eRBk

Rockville, VA – February 4, 2010 — TecAccess, the leading provider of accessibility and risk management services, announced today that Sara Ruh, a longtime employee and inspiration for the creation of the firm, was awarded the 2010 Compass honor by Northstar Academy. The inaugural Compass Awards honors publically nominated individuals and organizations that have contributed to the advancement of the special needs community.

Sara Ruh, an international keynote speaker and leader in the accessibility industry, was recognized by Northstar Academy for her efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities in both the community and the boardroom across the globe. Northstar Academy, in coordination with the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, created the award series as part of their “Leading Change” initiative. Other honorees included the Honorable Walter A. Stosch (Senator, Virginia), Tammy Burns (Pastor of Family Ministries), Ellen Bohon (Henrico High School), Donald Oswald (Virginia Treatment Center for Children), and Garth Larcen (Positive Vibe Cafè).

Sara Ruh and the other honorees were recognized at a dinner on January 29th at the University of Richmond. “It´s a true honor,” said Ruh of her award as she prepares for continued speaking events and accessibility leadership around the world in 2010.

About TecAccess

For further information about TecAccess and their current endeavors, visit their website at SSB Bart Group

Follow Ruh Global — To follow up on Debra Ruh’s current endeavors, follow her on social media: @DebraRuh or visit Ruh Global Communications

January 26, 2016

Virginia Business

TecAccess, Making the world of technology accessible

The founder and president of TecAccess has received many awards for her company’s efforts to hire employees with disabilities and to equip them for employment through technology. In 2009, the company was ranked as one of the top businesses in the country by Diversity.com. Ruh has been heralded as an agent of change for recognizing that telecommuting and adaptive technologies can be used to tap into what has been a largly unused labor pool. –Virginia Business (With contributions from Tim Loughran) http://www.virginiabusiness.com

Virginia Business