Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
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debraruh.bsky.social
Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
@debraruh.bsky.social
3.2K followers 2.8K following 620 posts
Debra Ruh, CEO of Ruh Global IMPACT, Founder of Billion Strong - #WeAreBillionStrong, Co-Host of #AXSChat, 3x Author, US State Speaker, Market Influencer, Human Inclusion, Accessibility, SmartCities, Tech4All, AI4Good, BlockChain, & SDGs. [Don't check DMs]
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debraruh.bsky.social
Debra Ruh (she/her/hers) @debraruh.bsky.social · Jan 3
Join our global movement! Over a billion strong, people with #disabilities are often treated as a minority. It’s time to unite, convene, support each other, and amplify our voices. Join us at www.Billion-Strong.org, please use our #WeAreBillionStrong hashtag.

#AXSChat #Disability #AccessFirst
Sara Ruh being silly pretending she is going to eat all the yummies.
debraruh.bsky.social
Sharing the seventh article of my series, "Humanizing AI": "Love, Disability, and the Evolution of Commitment"

#AI #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #Disability

www.linkedin.com/pulse/love-d...
A minimalist quote graphic on a soft, light textured background. Bold black text reads: “Love doesn’t need perfection, paperwork, or permission. It needs choice, dignity, and the freedom to belong. Disability doesn’t diminish love. It deepens it.” The name “Debra Ruh” appears below in yellow text on a black rectangular banner.
January 5, 2026 at 6:20 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
'True inclusion means creating a workplace where people with disabilities feel safe to disclose, to be seen, and to ask for what they need. But it’s not just on us to step forward—it’s on employers to prove they’re worth our trust, with actions that match their words.'

#WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat
A tweet-style graphic from Debra Ruh with the following text: 'True inclusion means creating a workplace where people with disabilities feel safe to disclose, to be seen, and to ask for what they need. But it’s not just on us to step forward—it’s on employers to prove they’re worth our trust, with actions that match their words.' The background is a deep maroon color, and Debra Ruh's profile picture and verification checkmark are displayed at the top.
January 4, 2026 at 2:51 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
‘I don’t see disability’ sounds kind, but it erases us.

It means you don’t see the barriers we face, the adjustments we need, or the reality of ableism.

Inclusion isn’t pretending we’re the same—it’s seeing us fully and acting on it.

#WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat
‘I don’t see disability’ sounds kind, but it erases us. It means you don’t see the barriers we face, the adjustments we need, or the reality of ableism. Inclusion isn’t pretending we’re the same—it’s seeing us fully and acting on it.
January 3, 2026 at 3:20 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
"Ableism looks like calling people 'inspiring' for navigating a system that is designed for exclusion, while doing nothing to hold the system accountable." - Carson Tueller

#Ableism #Disability #DisabilityInclusion #WeAreBillionStrong #Equity #AXSChat
"Ableism looks like calling people 'inspiring' for navigating a system that is designed for exclusion, while doing nothing to hold the system accountable." - Carson Tueller
January 2, 2026 at 10:24 AM
debraruh.bsky.social
I can’t have ADHD—I’m not bouncing off the walls.”

I’ve heard that line more times than I can count. But here’s the thing: ADHD doesn’t always look like what you’ve been told.

Hyperactivity isn’t just running around. Sometimes, it’s running thoughts—nonstop.

#ADHD #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat
A pink infographic titled “I can’t have ADHD; I’m not hyper!” challenges common myths about ADHD. It reads “Hyperactivity can look like...” followed by twelve illustrated symptoms including: racing thoughts, impulsive spending, easily distracted, fidgety, reckless driving, extremely impatient, drawing rapid conclusions, mood swings, finishing people’s sentences, difficulty sitting through meals/movies, and craving excitement. The graphic is by @the.chronic.couple.
December 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
“Every time we remove a barrier for people with disabilities, we find that it was holding others back too. Inclusion has a way of lifting everyone up.”

#Disability #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #Neurodiversity
“Every time we remove a barrier for people with disabilities, we find that it was holding others back too. Inclusion has a way of lifting everyone up.”
December 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
'Persons with disabilities are expected to stay 'quiet,' not be 'sensitive,' not take things 'seriously,' not 'panic,'to just 'ignore' and just let things go.We are told not to 'overthink,' not to 'make a fuss' by calling out Ableism, exclusion, and inaccessibility."- @puneetsiinghal.bsky.social
"'Persons with disabilities are expected to stay 'quiet,' not be 'sensitive,' not take things 'seriously,' not 'panic,' to just 'ignore' and just let things go. We are told not to 'overthink,' not to 'make a fuss' by calling out Ableism, exclusion,and inaccessibility."- Puneet Singh Singhal
December 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
What makes this campaign powerful is not what it explains, but what it reveals.

🎥 Credit:

“The world is harder when it wasn’t designed for you”

Created by the Vozes da Inclusão Institute, dedicated to accessibility and inclusion.

Shared by @theadnetwork
December 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
debraruh.bsky.social
Accessibility is not an extra step. It's the steps many MISSED.
Accessibility is not an extra step. It's the steps many MISSED.
December 26, 2025 at 6:40 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
“Progress happens when we slow down enough to ask the right questions, and brave enough to act together.”

#WeAreBillionStrong #AI4Good #AIInclusion #AXSChat #HumanCenteredAI
“Progress happens when we slow down enough to ask the right questions, and brave enough to act together.”
December 26, 2025 at 12:04 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
I am resharing this amazing effort by CoorDown, "NO DECISION WITHOUT US"

From everyday personal choices to being involved in writing laws and policies, people with disabilities demand a seat at the table where the decisions are made.

#WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #NoDecisionWithoutUs
December 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM
debraruh.bsky.social
What we call ‘clumsiness’ is often a mismatch between human bodies and environments not designed for neurodivergent ways of moving.

#WeAreBillionStrong #ADHD #AI4Good #AXSChat #RuhGlobal #Disability
What we call ‘clumsiness’ is often a mismatch between human bodies and environments not designed for neurodivergent ways of moving.
December 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
jkatzaman.bsky.social
“Trust and transparency are everything. Tech adoption grows when people feel safe — especially communities often left out."
medium.com/p/248d702... #MondayBlogs
featuring @akwyz.com @neilmilliken.bsky.social @debraruh.bsky.social @heykarthik.bsky.social
Empower Vision Through Innovation
Artificial intelligence, smart glasses and other technology transform lives
medium.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
If your employees with disabilities are too afraid to ask for reasonable accommodations/access and go silent. It’s a glaring sign: leadership doesn’t care, and your organization is a breeding ground for toxicity. Your Culture is broken.

#WeAreBillionStrong #SDGs #Inclusion #Disability #Culture
A social media post by Debra Ruh, featuring her profile picture, which shows her smiling and wearing a red badge that reads "Creator Accelerator Program Member." The text in the post reads: "If your employees with disabilities are too afraid to ask for reasonable accommodations/access and go silent. It’s a glaring sign: leadership doesn’t care, and your organization is a breeding ground for toxicity. Your Culture is broken." The post has a maroon background with white text.
December 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
This cartoon says more in silence than most corporate diversity statements say in a thousand words.

Look at it closely—men, same suits, same shapes, same blank expressions. The one in the middle proclaims loudly:

“Remember gentlemen, we believe in inclusion!!!!”

#Inclusion #WeAreBillionStrong
A black-and-white cartoon illustration shows a row of identical, bald men in suits, all looking serious and expressionless. One man in the center is speaking, saying, “Remember gentlemen, we believe in inclusion!!!!” Despite the statement, everyone in the image looks the same—highlighting the irony and performative nature of inclusion when it lacks true diversity. The comic is signed “@nakedpastor” in the corner.
November 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
"Why are your needs “human” and our needs “special?”

Ableism." - Gregory Mansfield

#WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #Ableism #Euphemism #Disability #SpecialNeeds #UnconsciousBias
Why are your needs “human” and our needs “special?” Ableism." - Gregory Mansfield
November 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
Chris Ruden is absolutely accurate in his analysis through this graphic.

#WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #Access #SDGs #Equity
A graphic on a tan background that shows an iceberg in the middle. The title says the ableism iceberg and above the water is six statements: everyone is included, we don’t discriminate, disability imagery, ADA compliant, disability ERG, inclusion matters. Below the water it says what’s missing: no disabled bleeders, systemic in accessibility, ableist policies, ablest hiring process, invisible disability bias, neurodivergent erasure, no accommodations budget.
November 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
debraruh.bsky.social
"They call it courage when disabled people climb walls never meant to exist. True justice isn’t in applause—it’s in dismantling the walls altogether."

#WeAreBillionStrong #Ableism #DisabilityRights #DisabilityInclusion #SDGs #HumanRights #AXSChat
"They call it courage when disabled people climb walls never meant to exist. True justice isn’t in applause—it’s in dismantling the walls altogether."
November 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
inclusivedesign24.bsky.social
Our next talk is Jonathan Zong, with Accessible Data Visualization for Screen Reader Users. #id24 #accessibility #InclusiveDesign youtube.com/live/JBxxvZ6...
Jonathan Zong / Accessible Data Visualization for Screen Reader Users #id24 2025
As we increasingly rely on visualization to communicate about data, lack of equitable information access for blind and low vision (BLV) people can exclude pe...
youtube.com
September 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
blindnewworld.bsky.social
Curling up with a good book this weekend?

If you're using a Kindle, look for improved #accessibility features that make reading easier and more enjoyable for folks who are #blind and #VisuallyImpaired. 📚 #BlindNewWorld

(Story via Good eReader ⬇️)
Amazon is focusing on accessibility for Kindle books - Good e-Reader
Amazon is prioritizing new accessibility features for vision disorders.
goodereader.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
marianajlopez.bsky.social
New video on our Enhanced Audio Description (EAD) methods is now available. A brief introduction to the ethos behind our work, with some lovely contributions from Project Advisory Board member Warren Wilson and 'Visible Mending' director Samantha Moore #Accessibility vimeo.com/1122160731?s...
Enhanced Audio Description (EAD)
A short video introducing the Enhanced Audio Description (EAD) methods, featuring Mariana López, Gavin Kearney, Warren Wilson and Samantha Moore. Captions…
vimeo.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
brailleinstitute.bsky.social
In 2025, sixteen-year-old Mae placed in the top 50 out of Braille Challenge participants worldwide.

But just four years ago, they couldn't read.

A Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) diagnosis and braille changed everything.

Read Mae's story in our latest blog post: bit.ly/46GjTn3
Mae smiles as they lean over and type on their blue Perkins brailler. They wear white over the ear headphones and dark sunglasses. A quote from Mae at the bottom of the image reads, "People with CVI should have the same options that blind people have to get to try new tools, be part of a community, and be supported to access the world the best way that they can."
September 30, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
a11yawareness.bsky.social
A transcript is the only way to make video or audio content accessible to someone who is both deaf and blind. Transcripts can be converted into braille, to be read on a refreshable braille output device.
September 30, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
akwyz.com
Just released! I had an insightful conversation with @debraruh.bsky.social & Marc Haunschild on #AXSChat.
We discussed:
-The impact of the European Accessibility Act
-AI & accessibility misconceptions
-Collaboration for digital inclusion
Listen here: www.buzzsprout.com/719037/episo...
September 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
akwyz.com
Myself, @debraruh.bsky.social and @neilmilliken.bsky.social, released a new podcast. This time, we asked?
Are We Losing Ourselves to Artificial Intelligence?
www.buzzsprout.com/719037/episo...

#AI
Are We Losing Ourselves to Artificial Intelligence? - AXSChat Podcast
The fascinating yet troubling relationship between artificial intelligence and human connection takes center stage in this thought-provoking discussion. Debra, Neil, and Antonio dive deep into the par...
www.buzzsprout.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM