Disability-Inclusive
Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs)
Debra Ruh, Ruh Global Communications
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Founded Ruh Global Communications (RGC) in 2012. Proud to
be on the G3ict Advisory Board and a member of the G3ict
Expert Panel. Sara Ruh our Chief Inspiration Officer (CIO)
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Ruh Global Communications is a Strategic Marketing firm that
focuses on Disability Inclusion, ICT Accessibility and Digital
Marketing. We help create policies and programs to implement
the UN Convention of the Rights or People with Disabilities
(UNCRPD).
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Debra founded TecAccess in 2001 and merged with SSB BART
Group (SSB) in April 2011.
Debra in Singapore
RGC Team
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GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR INCLUSIVE ICTs
Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Digital Age
Mission: to promote the implementation of the
dispositions of the CRPD relative to Information and
Communication Technologies
• Multi-stakeholder non profit advocacy launched in
December 2006 with the support of UNDESA (CRPD
Secretariat and UN GAID)
• Funded by civil society – IT Industry, Disability
Advocacy organizations, Foundations
• Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights
asked G3ict to organize disabilities and awareness for
organizations.
www.g3ict.org
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Integrating persons with disabilities into an
organization’s workplace, marketing efforts,
and accessibility of products and services is not
only a worthy cause, but one that makes
financial sense.
Societies function better when everyone is
giving the opportunity to contribute and
participate.
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Accessible technology is allowing PwD to
participate and make valuable contributions to
in society in unexpected ways:
◦ Advances in technology have improved people’s
independence and social participation.
◦ PwD are mastering digital tools and becoming
digitally savvy.
◦ Better assistive technologies (AT) and advances in
information, and communications technology have
improved accessibility which has been liberating for
many people with disabilities.
◦ AT is also creating benefits for us all.
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Employers are benefiting by hiring PwD
because of their unique talents and potential
contributions.
The skills are transferable, valuable and sought
after skills by employers.
Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)
Employer of Choice
Opportunities for Entrepreneurs with
Disabilities
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Integration of people previously excluded from
society
Universal design
Self-advocacy/disability rights movement
Recognition of the importance of ICT skills for
future success in life (employment, economic
self-sufficiency)
Values of a Civil Society as embodied in the UN
CRPD
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Availability of computers
Increasing access to “wired”
schools
Educators who have ICT
skills and/or availability of
ICT/IT “supports” in schools
BYOT to support student
engagement
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Availability of internet service in the community
“Digital natives”
Mobile technologies
Cloud technology
AT migrating into Mainstream Technology
Sustainable Development Goals
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Stakeholders must learn to
advocate in a way that
supports SDGs and our
collective goals
Families can make a difference
When Disability Persons
Organizations (DPOs) join
forces there combined voices
are more powerful
DPO training
Social media is a powerful tool
Sara Ruh meets Eunice Shriver
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 1987
Sara Ruh was born.
Sara had an amazing smile,
beautiful eyes and Down
Syndrome.
 The doctors recommended
we place her in an institution.
 They told us she would not
walk or talk.
 We decided “they were
wrong!!!”
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An award winning leader in the Accessibility
and Disability space. We provided
consulting, testing & training solutions that
allow our customers to understand,
evaluate and engage with this growing
market segment. Majority of employees
were persons with disabilities. Merged with
SSB in 2011.
A photo taken by Fortune Magazine of
some of our Virginia based employees
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Uncovering Hidden Human Capital: How leading
corporations leverage multiple abilities in their
workforce. Author: Debra Ruh, Publisher: G3ict,
Publishing early 2015
Employment: Help employers understand the market
value of including Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in
the workforce
Accessibility: Learn the advantages of making
products and services accessible to all
Marketing: Point out the multi-dimensional benefits in
marketing to customers with disabilities
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Global Demand for Workforce
Global Carrot and Stick
Obstacles
How to Beat the Odds
Changing to a Inclusion Culture
Enterprise Execution
Universal Design and Accessibility
Marketing to this Global Audience
Global Success Stories
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Convergence of Demographics, Human
Rights and Technology Innovation
Creates Major Opportunities for All
Francesca Cesa Bianchi, VP, G3ict; Axel LeBlois, CEO, G3ict,
CEO, Debra Ruh, RGC; and Ambassador Luis Gallegos
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 A global survey conducted by G3ict
in cooperation with Disabled People’s
International
 76 countries , 72% of the world
population, 81% of the 139 CRPD
ratifying countries
 57 data points per country measuring
 Country commitments (laws, policies
and regulations)
 Capacity to implement
 Actual ICT accessibility outcomes
Making Mobile Phones
and Services Accessible
Making Television
Accessible
Universal Service Funds
for Persons with Disabilities
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A joint research and
publication with
UNESCO
Based on the work of
an international team
of experts from all
continents
A framework for policy
makers to develop
national policies in
cooperation with
relevant stakeholders
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 People with disabilities are gaining
recognition as a significant and
growing market for products and
services. This will only strengthen
as we turn the corner.
 By using accessible technology,
people with disabilities can make
their needs and expectations known.
 Now that people with disabilities
have emerged as an untapped
force, we are directly positioned to
lead the future development of
accessible technology.
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Contact:
Debra Ruh
Ruh Global Communications
G3ict Employ-Ability & Technology
(804) 986-4500
Debra@RuhGlobal.com
www.RuhGlobal.com
Debra and Sara Ruh speaking in
Qatar
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