Biography: Debra Ruh
Debra Ruh is the Founder and Chairman of TecAccess, the leading provider of accessibility and workforce solutions for the world´s largest and fastest growing minority group - People with Disabilities, Baby Boomers, and Veterans with Disabilities.
Debra created TecAccess in 2001. She has grown the organization into a profitable multi-million dollar company and it is the most awarded provider of professional accessibility and usability testing and training, workforce solutions, targeted marketing solutions, focus groups and usability studies in the world.
As a unique differentiator, Debra utilizes a one-of-a-kind telecommuting model that allows employees, many of whom have disabilities ranging from intellectual, mental health to physical disabilities, to work from their homes, rehab facilities, and hospital rooms. TecAccess has over 60 associates with disabilities, and is also a leading employer of disabled veterans and baby boomers.
Since the company´s inception in 2001, TecAccess´ suite of services have ensured that clients in government, education and industry meet their accessibility, marketing and staffing goals, while simultaneously maximizing their ROI and becoming socially responsible corporate leaders. As a result, customers continuously realize the business advantage of reaching and better serving people with disabilities.
In 2006 Debra embarked on a new mission to expand TecAccess services to better serve veterans with disabilities through a ground breaking Disabled Veteran (DVET) Training and Employment Program. Debra is currently partnering with leading organizations to train veterans with disabilities across the country, as evidenced by tremendous success in such areas as the Commonwealth of Virginia and with private partners. The DVET initiative is the first of its kind program in the nation.
Debra was appointed to the Olmstead Board and Veteran Employment Board by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, and she serves proudly as a board member of the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN), Virginia Business Leadership Network (VABLN) and VA CEO Council.
Debra has won many awards for her efforts including: Federal Computer Week´s "Federal Top 100 Award", ANCOR Foundation´s 2008 Community Builder Award, 2007 Enterprising Women Magazine´s Advocacy Award, Northrop Grumman´s 2007 Community Support Award, 2007 Wells Fargo/NAWBO "Trailblazer" Award, 2006 Women in Technology (WIT) Leadership Award, 2005 Rising Star award by the National Association of Women Business Owners, 2005 Social Responsibility Award by the America-China Foundation, 2005 SBA Small Business Person of the Year for Region III, and was picked as one of the "Most Powerful Women in IT" by Virginia Business Magazine.
TecAccess has been awarded the prestigious US Department of Labor (NFI) Presidential New Freedom Initiative Award, Virginia Business Magazine´s - 2008 "Small Business Success Story of the Year" Award, Virginia Venture Forum´s 2007 "Top 10 Companies to Watch" and Growth Companies to Watch Award, 2006 Virginia Board for People with Disabilities Achievement Award, and the 2005 Lighthouse International Employer of the Year.
Debra has been invited to speak on Accessibility, Transition, Disabilities and Workforce Initiatives all over the US and world, including recent requests to present before the European Union, UK, Ireland, Russia, Asia and Africa.
Debra has authored many articles for national publications and is a major supporter for the rights of people and veterans with disabilities. TecAccess has been featured on CNN, NPR, CBS, ABC NBC and US News & World Report.
Debra´s work experience includes Founder and President of TecAccess, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Performance Solutions, Vice President and Dean of Distance Learning with Market Street Mortgage, Vice President of Training & Development and Quality Control for SunTrust Mortgage.
Debra Ruh´s "Accessibility Trailblazer" video.
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