Can We Evolve As A Society Without Seeing Value In Each Person? with Debra Ruh on #TalkTuesdays

Key Points in This Episode

• Every person, including people with disabilities, has something to contribute to society.
• Live a life of gratitude. Every person has physical or mental disabilities or flaws.
• Learn to coexist by inspiring, empowering, and motivating each other.

About The Guest

Debra Rhu is the CEO of Ruh Global Communications and hosts a podcast called Human Potential at Work. She co-founded AXSChat, an open online community aimed at promoting innovation and awareness for accessibility in technology. She has a daughter named Sarah with Down Syndrome, and after being told how Sarah would add no value to society, Debra became an advocate for disability inclusion and works with corporations and institutions around the world. 

Q1: What kind of work do you do?
A: We were told Sarah would not talk or walk. It is a mistake for anyone to be told that they cannot add value to society. We are trying to evolve the perception of disabled people in the workplace and in society.

Q2: Does society function better when each person can contribute something?
​A: Republicans state that too many people are not paying taxes and are on welfare. People with disabilities want to work and pay taxes but are not given the opportunities. Each person may communicate differently, but each person has something to say.

Q3: What steps did you take to get your message out to the right people?
A: You can choose to be part of the problem or part of solution. I decided to create a company called TecAccess and hired technologists with disabilities. We need to make sure there is legislation, litigation, and programs that everyone can join and share their ideas.

​Q4: How can we be active in coexisting and inspiring each other?
A: The way you see a person is the way you treat someone. When you acknowledge that each person, regardless of their disabilities or what they believe in, has value and can inspire others, we can move forward as a society.

Q5: How has technology and medical advancements impacted the lives of people with disabilities?
​A: Medical advancements allow people to live longer, healthier lives. Technology meant for people with disabilities, including the self-driving car and captions, has affected everyone.

Q6: What is your podcast about?
The goal is to help people broaden their perception of what we can do. As we grow, we may move in an out of disabilities, and people with disabilities are able to add value by using different areas of their brains. We should never discount anyone.

About ZZTV's #TalkTuesdays

ZZTV's #TalkTuesdays episodes feature vibrant discussions and conversations on TED Talk presentations! Zef Zan hosts and brings guest speakers or guest co-hosts to her live ZZTV shows! Learn more about this broadcast here.