Debra Ruh
Ruh Global IMPACT
“I am honored to be inducted in the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame by the National Disability Mentoring Coalition and Partners for Youth with Disabilities. I have worked for the last twenty-five+ years to support persons with disabilities. I am proud to be part of the community, as a person with hidden disabilities (ADHD, Depression, Anxiety), a mother of a daughter with Down Syndrome, and my husband of 30+ years acquired Dementia a few years ago from a childhood traumatic brain injury.
People with disabilities add great value to the world and young people with disabilities have so much to offer the world. We must make room at the top for these amazing young leaders. I spend my days encouraging multi-national and national corporations, United Nation agencies and other organizations to help them create programs to meaningfully include persons with disabilities as employees, customers, shareholders, and vendors. We are a billion person strong community and we add value to the world.
People with disabilities are disabled when society does not include them. I am honored to be selected and will continue to mentor the brilliant young people with disabilities that can change the world for the better. The world works better when we can all participate. Accessibility, Disability Inclusion, Inclusive Design, and Digital Inclusion are a few ways we can assure everyone is included in the world. Being selected for the Hall of Fame – touches my heart and continues to inspire me to continue my work.”
We are proud to induct Debra Ruh into the Susan Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame.
Debra Ruh is a Global Disability Inclusion Strategist, Market Influencer, internationally recognized keynote speaker, published author, branding expert, successful entrepreneur, and an exceptional mother. Debra is host of popular program: Human Potential at Work (Audience in 86 countries and 113 Regions).
She is also an author of three books: Inclusion Branding (available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Voice via Audible), Tapping into Hidden Human Capital, and Finding Your Voice Using Social Media.
Debra Ruh received her call to action when she was told by so-called “experts” that her daughter, Sara, who was born with Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), would never walk or talk. She refused to accept the prognosis and perception of this condition. Driven by her unshakeable faith in the power of human potential and the love for her daughter, Debra was determined to dedicate her life to create a path to empowerment and the success for all those with disabilities.
Debra had built a multi-million-dollar firm focused on ICT accessibility. Debra was convinced that “the real disability is being unable to see human potential” formed Ruh Global Communications. This new firm focuses on Global Disability Inclusion Strategies, Digital Marketing, and Branding among many other services.
Debra consults with Multi-National and National Corporations and the United Nations. Debra is now internationally renowned global keynote speakers and travel the world inspiring and advocating for governments and corporations to include people with disabilities.
Debra Ruh is an active public figure she was invited to address the United Nations General Assembly at the Conference of State Parties 9th session (COSP9) by the President’s office of the UN on May 13, 2016. More recently Debra was selected as the North American representative for the United Nations (UN), International Labor Organization´s (ILO), Global Business and Disability Network (GBDN). Additionally, in 2018 the U.S. State Department selected Debra Ruh as a global speaker and ambassador for the United States when visiting foreign nations and speaking on inclusion and disability. Selected as a Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2018.
Debra is a recognized global influencer, frequently interviewed by various media outlets and she has gathered a significant presence on many social media platforms, with over 350,000+ followers across all mediums. Co-founder of the award winning #AXSChat one of the world’s largest tweet chats with over 8 billion+ tweets.
Debra was named the “Top 5% of Social Media Influencers” and “Top 0.1% of people talking about Disability Inclusion and Accessibility” by KLOUT. Named #14 in Digital Scouts Top #100 Global Digital Influencers in 2019 & 2018.