PWD – Pruebas

May 10, 2017

Much More Than Just an Accessibility Acronym

Rosemary Musachio, Author of Article — Rosemary Musachio

By Rosemary Musachio, CPACC, Chief Accessibility Officer

Notice the acronym after my name. CPACC stands for Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies. I recently discovered that I had earned this title after I took the certification exam in January. I’m excited and honored to be among the few so far to be recognized as an expert in the accessibility industry. Currently, around 200 industry professionals have earned their CPACC. The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) offers the certification to qualified individuals who have worked in the accessibility industry for several years. CPACC candidates also must be proficient in English.

IAAP: International Association of Accessibility Professionals (Logo)

By being certified in accessibility, something that I’ve been doing for sixteen years, I will be seen as more credible. More people on social media networks, such as LinkedIn, are reaching out to me for advice and input. Not only does that strengthen my self-esteem, it also makes me feel that I’m making a difference in the business and education worlds.

Having a CPACC means companies will know you have fundamental knowledge about disabilities, accessibility and universal design, and laws and standards. With the prestigious credential following your name, business leaders will recognize your commitment to the accessibility field. They seek your advice and insights on accessibility issues regarding technology, architecture, commerce, and transportation. If an employer seeks applicants who have CPACC or require current employees to take it, the company realizes how important accessibility and inclusion are to its success. The certified accessibility professional ensures the office environment and technologies would be accommodating for employees with disabilities. For instance, someone who’s accredited in accessibility would be sure to know that buttons on a kiosk should be in different shapes or sizes for a blind person to use it, than someone who lacks the accreditation.

CPACC’s also are more competent in helping businesses reach out to customers with disabilities. For example, an accessibility accredited web developer ensures that they can use a website without difficulties based on laws and standards such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508 Refresh, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). Consequently, the certified personnel are expected to know accessibility laws thoroughly so a business would avoid potential litigation.

CPACC also is beneficial because it gives credence to accessibility principles in college courses and job training. Right now 92% of federal websites don’t comply with accessibility standards. This is because many web developers don’t have instructors who were accredited in accessibility. Besides technology, other fields lack accessibility competence in educating their professionals. For instance, if pre-meds and

Young boy holding an iPad at an Assistive Tech Demo, Taken by Raminta Zebrauskas - AMAC Team Photographer — Young boy holding an iPad at an Assistive Tech Demo, Taken by Raminta Zebrauskas – AMAC Team Photographer

nursing students have courses who are taught by CPACC professors, they would treat patients with accessible attitudes, learning how to communicate better with them. Or if future teachers take courses in universal design for learning, which is part of CPACC, they would know to apply different learning and testing techniques based on students with

diverse abilities.

As more professionals become CPACC certified, persons with disabilities will start noticing the impact. Accessibility in every realm of life will become the norm, not the exception. The employment rate of individuals with disabilities will increase. Commercial and professional services will reap from our patronage. ADA and other disability-based lawsuits will dwindle, being replaced with appeals for more consumers to buy from businesses. Medical professionals who will receive CPACC-based training will communicate with patients with disabilities more effectively, and teachers will understand better the learning dynamics of students with diverse abilities. That’s what being certified in accessibility does.

For more information on becoming a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies, Please visit the CPACC’s FAQ Page.

August 29, 2016

“Tapping Into Hidden Human Capital,” A newly released book by Debra Ruh, Demonstrates How Leading Global Companies Improve Their Bottom Line By Employing PwD’s

“TAPPING INTO HIDDEN HUMAN CAPITAL,” A NEWLY RELEASED BOOK BY DEBRA RUH, DEMONSTRATES HOW LEADING GLOBAL COMPANIES IMPROVE THEIR BOTTOM LINE BY EMPLOYING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Atlanta, GA. 07/18/2016 —

G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies announced today the publication of a new book authored by Debra Ruh, G3ict’s EmployAbility Program Chair.

Hidden Human Potential cover In this book, Tapping into Hidden Human Capital: How Leading Global Companies Improve their Bottom Line by Employing Persons with Disabilities,” Debra Ruh presents a new, game-changing perspective about the employment of persons with disabilities. By documenting existing practices of some of the largest companies in the world, the author shows that employees with disabilities are proactively recruited for their positive contributions to the competitiveness and financial performance of major businesses.

While Debra Ruh documents case studies that are eye-opening, her detailed analysis of the success factors in recruiting, hiring, and managing persons with disabilities are a must-read for any Human Resources professional and top executive of large organizations operating in highly competitive employment markets, such as those in the field of technology.

Debra Ruh’s book 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 to employing and retaining persons with disabilities in the organization as vital employees. The book offers insights and strategies on how to accommodate employees with disabilities, how to fully leverage their skills and talents, and transform challenges into successes. Additionally, Debra Ruh includes personal accounts from global leaders about how persons with disabilities have enriched their businesses, increased productivity, and lowered turnover rates.

“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. This book will definitely be looked upon as a milestone in how companies think about recruiting persons with disabilities,” commented Axel Leblois, G3ict President and Executive Director. “We are very pleased to publish Debra Ruh’s latest work and to make it available through all major book distribution channels worldwide.”

Tapping into Hidden Human Capital is available in paper back on the G3ict website.

Click this link to order – “Tapping into Human Capital”.

# # #

About the Author
Debra Ruh is a Global Disability Inclusion Strategist and serves as the EmployAbility Program Chair for G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs. She is a seasoned entrepreneur having founded three firms including Ruh Global Communications, TecAccess and Strategic Performance Solutions. At TecAccess, more than two third of her employees were persons with disabilities, serving as a best practice for many employers. Her client-centric focus and ability to promote successful disability employment programs has created relationships with many multi-national firms including Accenture, AT&T, ATOS, Avanade, Best Buy, Bloomberg, Canon, Capital One, CSC, CVS, Disney, Dell, Deloitte, E&Y, El Al Israel Airlines, HP, IBM, McDonalds, MCI, Merck, Microsoft, TD Bank, Verizon Communications, Verizon Wireless, VMware, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo and many others including United Nations agencies, international governments, federal, state and local agencies.

About G3ict
G3ict – the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies – is an advocacy initiative launched in December 2006 in cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UN DESA. Its mission is to facilitate and support the implementation of the dispositions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on the accessibility of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and assistive technologies. G3ict relies on an international network of ICT accessibility experts to develop and promote good practices, technical resources and benchmarks for ICT accessibility advocates around the world. It is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Georgia, USA, and headquartered in Atlanta. Visit www.g3ict.org.

– See more at: http://g3ict.org/press/press_releases/press_release/p/id_98#sthash.AUP98R9o.dpuf

June 24, 2016

What Being A Chief Accessibility Officer Means

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.

May 13, 2016

PR: Ruh Global Communications Wins AI Business Excellence Awards

AI Business Excellence Banner: Ruh Global Communications 'Digital Marketing Firm of the Year - VA' — 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.

Ruh Global Communications
Twitter: @Ruh Global and @DebraRuh

Press Contact:

Debra Ruh, CEO
Ruh Global Communications
18122 Vontay Rd.
Rockville, VA 23146, USA
(804) 986-4500
Debra@RuhGlobal.com
www.RuhGlobal.com

February 12, 2016

A girl’s anger transformed into a woman’s advocacy

Growing up with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease that affects all muscles of the body, can bring social challenges for anyone. For Alice Wong, the challenges made her angry. Rather than the anger becoming a negative impact on her adult life, she has been able to utilize it to fight for her rights and those of others with disabilities.

As she wrote in her essay Hey, Angry Girl, Alice faced a lot of attitudinal barriers while she was growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana. Besides the usual stares and naïve questions from people, she also faced barriers in her education. For instance, to complete her second year drama class, one of the requirements was to do a skit that required physical action. The professor insisted it had to be done standing up, which Alice couldn’t do. So she had to forego it.

Attending the University of California, Alice discovered ways to break down barriers that she had encountered during her youth and still was facing. Works of disability activists and researchers such as Paul Longmore, Irving Zola, Erving Goffman, and others inspired Alice to express her ideas and voice her frustration through writing and research. Her writings have helped people with disabilities to live as independent as possible.

Direct Course Online

For instance, Alice is the Staff Research Associate for the Community Policy Living Center at the University of California where she authors curricula for the College of Personal Assistance and Caregiving and producing reports on Olmstead-related legislation and lawsuits. In fact, Alice is the co-author of several online courses on personal assistance care, which can be found at Direct Course Online. She’s also the founder of the Facebook group “Self-Directed Care Discussion Group”, where members can voice their concerns and ask questions about personal assistance issues.

National Council on Disability Image from: https://www.facebook.com/NCDgov/

Besides personal care assistance, Alice also has motivated other persons with disabilities to make their voices heard. She has launched the Disability Visibility Project, a blog-like platform so persons with disabilities can write about their challenges and successes. These stories make our voices heard, act as a historical resource, and illustrate their diversity. As with the Facebook personal assistance group, she also utilizes Twitter to encourage them to discuss issues that concerns the disability community. Hopefully, agency or government officials notice these discussions and act upon what needs to be done to ensure our basic rights as humans.

President Obama Appoints Alice Wong to National Council on Disability. Image from: www.ucsf.edu

Alice also promotes social media accessibility as a council member of the National Council of Disability (NCD). In 2014, she co-moderated a series of online dialogues to discuss how social media platforms can become more accessible, such as users adding text alternatives to images and including correct captions for videos. “{O}ne of my advocacy efforts is through community-building efforts on social media such as Facebook and Twitter,” Alice says. “I’ve come across some amazing people with disabilities all over the world and we share our experiences that seem to be universal.”

As an avid advocate for persons with disabilities, Alice offers three bits of advice. First, don’t consider yourself the problem. Society creates most of the barriers that you need to overcome. Second, reach out to other persons with disabilities who have experienced similar situations that you do for guidance and mentoring. Third, share your struggles and successes with others who may need help.

Alice turned her anger as a little girl into something positive as a woman—her passion and desire to help others with disabilities.

Follow Alice on Twitter at @SFdirewolf.

February 12, 2016

The importance of social media for persons with disabilities by Rosemary Musachio

Rosemary Musachio, Chief Strategic Officer

I just landed my dream job of doing social media marketing. A few reasons why this line of work have lured me. My dad was a public relations guy. He used to market politicians and local celebrities by writing to newspapers and organizing events for them. I acquainted clout and glamour to that.

I also had dreamed of becoming an advertising executive. I would use my creative writing juices to develop media ads that would grab the public’s attention and hearts. I figured this would be the most lucrative path to utilize my writing skills.

My career took a different road, however. Since the computer had become my bridge to the rest of the world, I discovered the field of electronic and information technology (E&IT) accessibility; how I could help other persons with disabilities and myself access the Internet, web applications, and software more effectively. My keen sense of observation has contributed to my success as an E&IT Accessibility Analyst.

Yet, examining webpages and software screens for issues does not involve creativity or interactions with the public. While I still wanted to help other persons with disabilities, I wanted to do it on a social and cultural level, not on a technical one. Someone “up there” must have heard my desire and dropped a position in my lap as a Marketing Strategist for Ruh Global Communications, a company who helps persons with disabilities become more recognized in society.

Now I can help persons with disabilities make their voices heard loudly. I can proclaim their accomplishments and vent their complaints through social and media networks. By broadcasting their ideas and principles, I, along with the rest of the Ruh Global team, is making the rest of the world more aware of what we can do and what we face. With social media marketing, we can help change government regulations, business policies, and public views much more rapidly and effectively than we were able to twenty-five years ago when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was ratified.

For instance, if a person with cerebral palsy was barred from a restaurant because someone else had to feed him, the incident may have received little media coverage a quarter of a century ago. Today if that person tweets and Facebook post his story, it would go viral. People would retweet it and share it on other social networks. News outlets would spot it and do reports on the discrimination incident. Consequently, the restaurant would feel the pressure from the public, apologize to the patron with the disability, and change its policy.

On a personal level, doing social media marketing allows me to learn constantly about new assistive technologies, programs, policies, and stories about other persons with disabilities. Because I don’t get out much due to transportation issues, my involvement with social media allows me to interact with the rest of the world, meeting new people and keeping in contact with individuals I already know. Other persons who can’t venture out of their homes much due to a disability take advantage for the same reasons.

Thanks to social media, persons with disabilities have a giant outlet to express themselves to become heard and get action. Thanks to social media marketing and Ruh Global Communications, I am helping them connect to businesses and governments to build a more accessible, open-minded world.

February 12, 2016

Sara Ruh sings “Let it Go” on Caracol Radio with Martin Tapias

February 12, 2016

Disability inclusion in the workforce – Training & finding champions

Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global Communications

The 25th Anniversary of the ADA Series: Disability Inclusion in the Workforce – Training & Finding Champions

Training will save an organization a lot of time and effort as well as reduce risks. Disability inclusion should be integrated into all corporate training, writes Debra Ruh.

inclusion at the workplace for persons with disabilities

– To see the full article by Debra Ruh, visit G3ict

February 12, 2016

Marketing to persons with disabilities is a business advantage

Debra Ruh - CEO of Ruh Global Communications — Debra Ruh – CEO of Ruh Global Communications

25th Anniversary of the ADA Series: Marketing to Persons with Disabilities is a Business Advantage

Making it possible for stakeholders with disabilities and age-related limitations to access your goods and services is not only an important part of complying with federal – as well as international — accessibility standards but also a strategic aspect of any organizational management plan.

Elderly men use Smart-Phones — Market opportunities have grown tremendously in the 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is no longer a potential marketplace, but an exponential one.

– To see the full article by Debra Ruh, visit G3ict

February 12, 2016

Ruh Global Communications announces podcast by Kevin Ruh

I am currently in the process of making the first Ruh Global Communications podcast. As a long time podcast listener, I have always thought of dabbling in the world of podcasting. Luckily everyone here at Ruh Global was excited when I presented the idea of making our own podcast. The subject that I am hoping to explore is disability in our world and from the viewpoint of those with disabilities. I am still in the process of putting out my first book about tattoos and those with disabilities. I have collected a bunch of really great stories from those who have been nice enough to share their experiences and opinions with me. I think each podcast will have a spotlight on at least one of these stories.

I am very interested in the idea and taboo of tattooing as I have many myself. I am also part of the community of persons with disabilities. To me they blend together to create an easy crossover. Most of the responses have been about the empowerment that one feels when they fully express themselves in the ways they like. Getting a tattoo is definitely not for everyone. Simply having a disability does not denote that you would never want to get a tattoo. Some have a stigma of both tattoos and disabilities. Some believe you must be a criminal to have a tattoo. Some also believe that those with disabilities are not capable of deciding a decision like getting a permanent tattoo by themselves. Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance out there. Fortunately we can dispel this ignorance through immersion and teaching. People are not sure what to think sometimes and need a context to be comfortable.

When you see a person who has a tattoo on the street, chances are they did not get that tattoo for you. It was a decision they made for themselves to make them look how they wanted. Those with disabilities are simply people and why the heck should they not be getting as tattooed as they feel like? If it makes you uncomfortable to think of someone with a disability choosing for themselves, then you must learn to open your mind.

Sara Ruh’s dolphin tattoo done by Brandon Saunders — Sara Ruh with artist Brandon Saunders

My sister has a tattoo on her ankle of a dolphin jumping out of a wave. I have over thirty, and not all are as cool as my sister’s dolphin. My sister also has down syndrome, no one told her to want to get a tattoo, she just wanted a tattoo because she thought they were cool. She went with our mother to a local tattoo shop and they felt out the comfort level of the artists around tattooing someone with down syndrome. My mother thought there may be some who would feel uncomfortable, but found the opposite. The artist they first spoke with was totally up for the tattoo. Not even the bat of an eye, because he understood that she was simply a client just like any other. The only thing that was any different was that my sister was having to get permission from her mother before getting a tattoo. Most of us just come home one day with ink in our skin, much to the dismay of our parents. My sister still visits her tattoo artist when she is near the shop to show off how well it healed on her. He is always happy to see her and is very kind. So before you pass judgement on someone who has a neck tattoo, think about how you may be the one with a closed mind who is not seeing the book beyond its cover. Things are not always as black and white as they seem and simply expressing yourself is no crime.

Our country needs to be educated on how to deal with one another on a personal basis. Hearing stories of police that have shot and killed someone who is mentally ill or seeking help for a mental health issue scares me horribly.

The recent incidents of people like Kristiana Coignard have weighed heavy on my mind. I hate to think that if our police forces were better able to talk people down rationally we would not have arrived at outcomes where emotion and violence have taken over a situation.

Coignard’s story is one that should not have ended in her death. Family says that she was simply seeking mental health help from the police. Instead she was seen as a threat, she was a slender 17 year old girl, and shot dead in the lobby of the police station. Hearing about this and other similar stories such as the schizophrenic man in dallas who was killed by the police after coming to the door holding a screwdriver and the man who had down syndrome who was killed by police in a movie theatre.

Imagining my sister with down syndrome in a public place, afraid, yelled at by police officers, I can only imagine her reacting in an erratic way. I hope to god that she would not be gunned down for not obeying orders screamed at her in the heat of the moment. She processes stress differently and slower than most. This should be considered by police when dealing with anyone.

People have all types of different processing methods in their own minds. Especially those who have a mental disability, invisible disability, so many ones we cannot see. Wheelchair users are an example of those with visible disabilities, but there are many many invisible disabilities. If we are to trust in our police forces and not fear their presence then we need to train them to deal with any situation. Dealing with someone with emotional disabilities can be tough, but is not impossible, nor should it be treated as impossible.

I would love to hear from the readers of this as well. I have asked my followers on Twitter to give me feedback or opinions to discuss on the podcast. If you have any tips, ideas, opinions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me at kevin@ruhglobal.com I think discussing these topics further will help us all. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, I hope to hear from you soon.

To learn more about Ruh Global Communications, please visit www.RuhGlobal.com