Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)
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]
- Thank you Dr. Kelly Tzoumis for joining @AXSChat today. You are making a difference in these global learning Conversations. We are all stronger together. AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #InterculturalCompetency #GlobalLearning
- A6: Dr. Kelly Tzoumis reminds us: global learning starts with global listening. I’ve seen virtual exchanges shift entire perspectives. They build empathy, challenge bias, and empower disability pride across borders. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #InterculturalCompetency #GlobalLearning
- A4 We must move from tolerance to trust. Normalize disclosure by showing that people will be celebrated, not penalized. Disability masking hides talent—we must replace fear with culture-rooted safety. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #GlobalLearning
- A3: Virtual exchange lets us learn with each other—not just about each other. When disabled voices connect across borders, we co-create solutions that advance the SDGs in real time. The future is collaborative. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #UNSDGs #GlobalLearning
- A3: Virtual exchange lets us learn with each other—not just about each other. When disabled voices connect across borders, we co-create solutions that advance the SDGs in real time. The future is collaborative. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #UNSDGs #GlobalLearning
- AI is finally helping break the language barrier for people with disabilities. Real-time translation tools and voice AI open doors—but only if inclusion is built in from the start. Let’s make accessibility multilingual. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #AI #GlobalLearning
- A1 We must create safe spaces for people to explore identity without fear or shame. Language varies by culture, so we lead with listening—not correction. Community-driven conversations unlock global understanding. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #GlobalLearning
- Welcome Dr. Kelly Tzoumis to @AXSChat today. We are speaking about #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibility #DisabilityIdentity #AI and enhancing intercultural competency globally and contribute to achieving the UN SDGs. Join us now using our hashtag #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)A5 I like to pair data with human impact stories. For example, I’ll help leaders understand the number of people actually impacted by accessibility (more than they think) and then share stories of customers and employees who have been shut out because their products aren’t accessible today. #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)I would also love to do research that correlates an organization's level of accessibility maturity (as measured by a maturity framework) with the accessibility of its products. And also to gather more benchmark data around the maturity of different industry verticals. #AXSchat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)A6 I’d love to prove how including people with disabilities in all phases of product design improves business results. Case studies exist, but to quantify why this is the critical ingredient will prompt more orgs to invest in hiring and doing research with people with disabilities. #AXSChat
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- How fun. I look sad in that image. LOL. #AXSChat
- A5: When AI reflects us all, it can amplify our voices, not erase them. From assistive tools to inclusive avatars, AI can help people see disability as part of humanity—not something to fix. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #AI4Good #GlobalLearning
- This is what “showing up” looks like. Not grand speeches. Not distant promises. Just a human kneeling down and handing a hot meal to a hungry child. At Life for Relief and Development, we act fast. Support Life for Relief and Development: www.lifeusa.org #LifeUSA #WeAreBillionStrong #SDGs
- That’s such a beautiful legacy—to help others begin their journeys in accessibility. I love that apprenticeships are opening doors earlier. Accessibility should be a first choice, not a lucky accident. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #A11Y #Apprenticeships
- Yes! That kind of research is so needed. Linking accessibility maturity to actual outcomes would help drive accountability and real progress. I’d love to collaborate on industry benchmarks—data like that could shift entire sectors. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #Accessibility
- I would also love to do research that correlates an organization's level of accessibility maturity (as measured by a maturity framework) with the accessibility of its products. And also to gather more benchmark data around the maturity of different industry verticals. #AXSchat
- Making #accessibility content AI-readable is key. If done right, #AI can help deliver the right advice at the right time to the people who need it most. But we must lead with ethics and inclusion. Let’s collaborate to get this right—accessibility deserves nothing less. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- A6 Right now I'm trying to carve out time to learn how it might be possible to get our best accessibility documentation more easily consumable by AI. How do we see that people are given the right advice when they need it. There are lots of ethical issues with use of AI but it is being used. #AXSChat
- Yes, we can all help the EU Commission raise awareness too. Real change needs visibility and honest dialogue. If media outlets fear the spotlight, that’s a sign we must shine it brighter. Let's all help raise awareness about #EAA. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #Accessibility #DisabilityInclusion
- I wish the EU Commission had invested more in promoting the accessibility Act. The media here were also playing low; I guess they were afraid of starting to talk about accessibility and being questioned why the majority of them are not accessible to readers with disabilities. #axschat
- A6 I’d study how digital inclusion impacts mental health, community connection, and economic empowerment—especially in crisis zones. Inclusion isn’t charity. It’s survival, dignity, and innovation. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- Huge thanks to @ginabhawalkar.bsky.social for being an incredible guest on #AXSChat! Your insights were powerful and timely—we’re so grateful you’ll be joining us regularly to keep the conversation going. You’re truly an asset to the accessibility movement. #WeAreBillionStrong #Accessibility #A11Y
- Yes! Accessibility is quality. If it excludes even one person, it’s not truly usable or human-centered. Let’s redefine excellence to include everyone. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #A11Y #Accessibility
- That’s so encouraging to hear! We need more analysts like you—and your colleagues—bringing accessibility into every corner of tech and business. I’ll definitely check out your blog. Thank you for helping shift the narrative! #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- We have other analysts at Forrester thinking about accessibility in the context of their coverage areas - it's not just me! Listeners can follow my blog on the Forrester site. I have some recent posts co-authored with analysts that cover development and that cover voice of the customer. #AXSchat
- #Accessibility isn’t just the right thing, it’s a smart business move. Investing in inclusion leads to innovation, trust, and ROI. The data speaks, but so do the people. It’s time for #analyst firms to step up and make accessibility part of every market assessment. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #A11Y
- Yes! Accessibility isn’t just the right thing—it’s a smart business move. Those who invest in inclusion lead in innovation, trust, and ROI. The data speaks, but so do the people. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- Absolutely! AI has incredible potential to break barriers—especially in translation, captions, and cognitive access. But we must build it inclusively from the start, or risk leaving people behind again. Let’s get it right. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong #AI #HumanInclusion
- Yes—accessibility must be more than a checkbox. The real leaders embed it in culture, not just product. At Billion Strong, we champion those who include us from the start—not just market to us after. Let’s close that gap together. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- A4 Some tech companies are very strong – they embed accessibility features in their products and include people with disabilities in their process. Others are not. We still see a significant gap between commitment and action in many organizations. #AXSChat
- Totally agree. I used to feel cautious too, but now I see AI as a tool that can amplify inclusion—especially when it supports tasks like alt text and plain language that often get skipped. It’s time we use tech to help humans do better. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- A4 The big one of course is AI. I've been a skeptic, but have come to terms with ways that we need to start using more AI to address the elements of #accessibility humans are just bad at. #AltText & #PlainLanguage come to mind. #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Glad you enjoy it - we started #AXSChat as a way to learn from others in the #accessibility community and also to bring people together to share experiences. It has been a great learning experience. We love making it and making new accessibilibuddies 🦾
- Agree everyone benefits from #Accessibility #AXSChat
- I often use the persona spectrum visual from Microsoft's inclusive design toolkit to illustrate how everyone benefits from an accessible experience #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Q1 For many people accessibility is not a career path that they planned to take. How did you get started in the field of digital accessibility? What was your first experience like? #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Q2 Design plays an important role in the accessibility of products. Is the design profession and the software industry that supports it becoming more consistent in embedding accessibility? #AXSChat
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- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Q4 What are the key trends in digital accessibility you observe in the tech industry today? How do you stay informed about these trends? #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Q5 How do you educate organizations about the importance of accessibility? What strategies did you use to connect with the decision makers? #AXSChat
- A5 I share human stories and real-world impact—because numbers alone won’t move hearts. I meet leaders where they are, but I bring the community with me. Relationships and trust make change possible. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Hi everyone! Excited to be the guest on this week's #AXSChat. I'm joining from San Francisco, California. Looking forward to this conversation.
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- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)We have other analysts at Forrester thinking about accessibility in the context of their coverage areas - it's not just me! Listeners can follow my blog on the Forrester site. I have some recent posts co-authored with analysts that cover development and that cover voice of the customer. #AXSchat
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- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)I get excited about some of the new design tools that suggestion remediations that align to the company's design system. They help designers get to a more accessible design choice faster. #AXSchat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)A4 Some tech companies are very strong – they embed accessibility features in their products and include people with disabilities in their process. Others are not. We still see a significant gap between commitment and action in many organizations. #AXSChat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)I keep a pulse on what’s happening by attending vendor briefings, interviewing accessibility experts, attending analyst events, following the community on LinkedIn, and of course listening to podcasts like @AXSchat! #AXSchat
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)As far as staying informed, I do learn a lot engaging with the #AXSChat community. Other experts in Slack/Social Media are also quite influential. I also enjoy putting out ideas and seeing how they can be corrected by the community. They always get better with extra eyes.
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- A4: AI is everywhere—but it must be built inclusively. I see a global hunger for human-centered tech. I stay informed through community, #AXSChat, and voices from all corners of the world. We’re stronger together. #WeAreBillionStrong
- A3 Because accessibility is the market. Over 1B people with disabilities deserve to be seen, served, and included in innovation. If analysts ignore accessibility, they’re missing the future. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- A2 We’re making progress—but we’re not there yet. True inclusive design must include disabled voices at every phase. Tools are improving, but mindsets must evolve too. Let’s build systems for all of us, not just the lucky few. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- A1 I started when my daughter Sara was born with Down syndrome. That moment redefined everything. I left banking to fight for a world where all humans are included—digitally and beyond. Accessibility wasn’t a career path, it was a calling. #AXSChat #WeAreBillionStrong
- Thanks for the leadership #Canada.
- 🇨🇦 PM Carney has a way with words. #CanadaStrong 🍁
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- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Everyone in the past was neurotypical, which is how we got things like this single-author, eight-volume encyclopedia of ferns
- Reposted by Debra Ruh (she/her/hers)Ty, @docswithdisability.bsky.social ! I’ve followed your initiatives on your webpage, etc., but this is awesome! #DisabilityRightsAreHumanRights #DisabilityJustice #Disability 💜🥄
- “Just set multiple deadlines.” That's the ADHD advice I followed for years. Real ones, fake ones, panic-fueled ones. And yes, it worked on the surface. No one talks about how urgency addiction wrecks you slowly. but our bodies need peace. #ADHD #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat
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- The 2025 Global Meeting brought together members, partners, and leaders to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine. The day opened with remarks from CEO Giuseppe Saba and a look back at 2024 milestones. It closed with the Dubai Humanitarian Awards. #WeAreBillionStrong #LifeUSA #DubaiHumanitarian
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- One well can power a village. One act of giving can ripple into generations of change. 💧 Be that ripple. Donate today: www.lifeusa.org #LifeUSA #WeAreBillionStrong #SDGs #AXSChat #Water #HumanInclusion #Equity
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