Sara Ruh

I can join too. ❤️❤️ #downsyndrome #speaker. Hi Mom. ✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼 twitter.com/debraruh/statu…

I was honored to attend the ECOSOC Youth Forum 2026 (14–16 April) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as a member of the United Nations Youth Office Youth Reference Group. @UNYouthAffairs During the Forum, I contributed to important conversations on youth mental health, inclusion, and sustainable development. I participated in the side event “From Evidence to Action: What Works to Advance Youth Health and Mental Health,” organized by @UNICEF Evaluation, the @UNFPA Independent Evaluation Office, and other UN partners. I also had the opportunity to serve as a panelist in the session “Youth Mental Health and Well-Being as a Foundation for Sustainable Development,” where I spoke about how young people are navigating interconnected challenges shaped by exclusion, climate stress, disability, and inequality. Drawing from my work with the Global Network of Young Persons with Disabilities (@gnypwd ) and Green Disability @DisabilityGreen , I emphasized that climate resilience and sustainability cannot be achieved without accessibility and disability inclusion. I reiterated something central to my work: there is no climate justice without disability justice. I was also grateful to speak at the SDG Media Zone on the growing youth employment crisis, alongside Lindsey Madison, in a session moderated by Bora Kamwanya. These conversations reminded me how important it is that young people, especially those from historically excluded communities, are not only included in global discussions, but recognized as active contributors shaping the road to 2030. #ECOSOC2026 #SDGs #GreenDisability #DisabilityInclusion #YouthLeadership #ClimateJustice #GNYPWD #WeAreBillionStrong

Nearly every argument I’ve heard against improving accessibility falls into one of these five categories: 1 - it's not really necessary 2 - it doesn’t affect many people 3 - it’s not a major issue 4 - it’s too difficult or expensive to implement 5 - it’s too late to integrate now And you know which is growing the fastest these days? The last one!!! When I posted this two years back, Chitra Paul gave great responses to these excuses, " 1. - Who decides that it’s not necessary? Aren’t people with accessibility needs human beings and citizens? And the last I had read both have rights! 2. - If 1 billion out of 7 billion people is not a good number then wonder what would be? 3. - Babies, pregnant women, senior citizens in addition to people with temporary and permanent disabilities now that’s a major chunk of the world population if I am not mistaken! 4. - Work on making it easy and affordable. Challenges are to be faced and tackled to find solutions not run away from right - ain’t that what we teach children? 5. - Change is the only constant - this is an eternal truth no?" Unfortunately, I have not observed much change since then, and these excuses still hold true. #WeAreBillionStrong #a11y #DisabilityRights #SDGs #Equity #DisabilityInclusion #AXSChat

Green Disability @DisabilityGreen is honored to collaborate with The Starving Artist along with Cultural Alleys | VšĮ Kultūros Alėjos for "the roots that are grounded". The Starving Artist invite artists from around the globe to submit their work for an upcoming exhibition which seeks artistic interpretations of how agriculture intertwines with sustainability, technology, biodiversity, and society along with our constant theme of Disability, Neurodiversity, and Climate crisis. As we navigate climate change, technological shifts, and social change, creative voices can help us reimagine the way we grow, nurture, and sustain. why this matters Global undernourishment persists, affecting an estimated 673 million people in 2024, accounting for around 8.2% of the world population, despite modest recent improvements. Agricultural production and value have grown dramatically: global crop production rose 56% between 2000 and 2022 and yet the OECD-FAO outlook (2025–2034) warns that without coordinated support, smallholder farmers may be left behind, even as GHG emissions rise 6% despite some efficiency gains. Artists are essential translators of these complex realities, grounding data, policy, and speculation into lived, emotional, and resonant experiences. I am happy to share the open call inviting the community members to explore diverse artistic mediums, that can be displayed in a 2D Gallery Space including but not limited to: Painting, drawing, and illustration Sculpture and installation (Images of work) Photography and digital art Mixed media and collage Performance and interactive art Video art and animation No AI Generated Content Details: Locations: Global submissions welcomed Ages: Open to artists of all 18+ due to sensitive topics Number of works: Each artist may submit up to 10 pieces more info: lnkd.in/gwyrAjAF Apply here: Google Form: lnkd.in/gB59HXU5 Submission Deadline: Sept 30, 2025 There is no submission fee and no participation fee as we firmly believe in providing an accessible platform for artists to share their voices and stories. ID: Poster for an art open call titled “the roots that are grounded.” The background features a soft, impressionistic painting of tall mountains and a green valley under a cloudy sky. White text in lowercase reads: “the roots that are grounded / open call / examining the future of agriculture through artists’ perspectives.” Additional details below state: “more info: starvingartist.cargo.site / artists. writers. poets. creative weirdos / deadline: 09.30.2025.” In the bottom right corner, there’s a small logo that reads “the starving artist.”

Read my piece for @OGR_EN, "No one left in the heat: For disabled people, heat waves are a human rights crisis" for open global rights. #GreenDisability #HeatWaves #India #Asia #WeAreBillionStrong #Climate #Disability openglobalrights.org/no-one-left-in…

"Disability isn’t something I need to overcome.” Divya's story is a quiet revolution in pride and presence. Catch her voice in our #DisabilityPride in Progress series. Share yours here- forms.gle/oRgjGsWxyGmi62… #DisabilityPrideMonth @PrakashWKamatPK

In our next post for '#DisabilityPride in Progress', we are thrilled to share reflections by @puneetsinghal22 who speaks about reclaiming space in a world shaped by ableism. From embracing his #InvisibleDisabilities to calling for stronger policies, this is pride, not perfection.

Read my "When the Climate Becomes Your Enemy" for Yuvoice Global on my initiative, "Green Disability" @DisabilityGreen #GreenDisability #Climate #SDGs #WeAreBillionStrong #DisabilityInclusion #Equity #Accessibility yuvoice.org/when-the-clima…

Thanks @NH_India for giving space to my thoughts on how PWDs were excluded in the recently conducted mock war drills. #GreenDisability #WeAreBillionStrong #SDGs #a11y #DisabilityInclusion Read: nationalheraldindia.com/national/mock-…

Clean water, brighter futures 💧—bringing life-changing access to safe drinking water in Sierra Leone, one well at a time. lifeusa.org/water #freshwater #cleanwater #waterwell #donate #nonprofit

I get to be on the RESO podcast with Dr Surender on Disability Inclusion. We talked about @BillionStrong1 movement and organization. #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #DisabilityInclusion ID: A promotional graphic for a podcast episode featuring Debra Ruh.

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

Happy to share my piece for @YouthKiAwaaz on @DisabilityGreen : #GreenDisability #WeAreBillionStrong #AXSChat #ClimateChange #a11y #SDGs #SustainableCities #Equity #DisabilityInclusion #LifeUSA youthkiawaaz.com/2025/05/when-t…

Proud and grateful to Life for Relief and Development (@LIFEforRELIEF) for remarkable humanitarian work in the most sensitive of regions across the world. @nabileid1 Eid, Richard Streiz, @debraruh @StreitzAbility, Jasmin Ambiong @JazzAmbiong #LifeUSA #WeAreBillionStrong

With deep love and heartfelt peace, we send our sincerest Eid Al-Fitr wishes to the Arab Muslim community across the world. May this joyous celebration bring light, unity, and blessings to all. #EidMubarak #WeAreBillionStrong #LifeUSA #HumanInclusion #SDGs #AXSChat

"When this government says disabled people ought to work, we ask: Where are the jobs? The level-access commuter trains? The accessible homes? The carers to dress me at 6am? (Right, Brexit made them leave.) The reduction in wait times for Access to Work, Wheelchair Services?"- @annalandre #Accessibility #a11y #SDGs #Inclusion #AXSChat #Disability #Neurodiversity #WeAreBillionStrong #Care #Access #Employment #DisabilityRights

Millions live with preventable blindness simply because they can’t afford basic eye care. A simple exam, a quick procedure—life-changing. No one should lose their sight because of poverty. This work is making a real difference. Support the cause. #LifeUSA #WeAreBillionStrong

Imagine waking up one day and slowly watching the world fade away—not because of fate, but because you couldn’t afford the care to stop it. Millions face preventable blindness, not because their condition is untreatable, but because the cost of medical care puts their sight out of reach. A simple surgery, an eye exam, or the right treatment could change everything. Yet, for so many, these remain luxuries instead of basic rights. Blindness doesn’t just steal sight; it steals independence, education, and opportunity. It forces children out of school, keeps parents from working, and isolates the elderly from the world they once knew. But here’s the truth: blindness doesn’t have to be a life sentence. A small act—a donation, a bit of generosity—can restore more than just vision. It can bring back dignity, autonomy, and hope. This Ramadan, be the reason someone sees their child’s face again. Be the reason a student can read their books, a worker can provide for their family, an elder can walk without fear. Light up a life, not just for today, but for a lifetime. Don’t let poverty decide who gets to see and who doesn’t. Give someone the gift of sight. Donate now: lifeusa.org/ramadan Life for Relief and Development ID: A healthcare worker wearing a blue "Life Bangladesh" vest is conducting an eye examination on a young boy using specialized ophthalmic equipment. The boy sits still, looking into the device as the worker adjusts the settings. In the background, another man wearing a white robe and face covering observes the scene. Medical supplies, including a model of an eye, are visible on the table nearby. The setting appears to be a medical camp or clinic focused on providing vision care. #EyeCare #RamadanGiving #LIFEUSA #WeAreBillionStrong #DonateInRamadan #RamadanGiving #HelpTheNeedy

Inclusion will never be achieved if the decisions that influence the world are made by only a few, for a few. Whether it’s in daily personal decisions or in creating laws and policies, people with disabilities must have a seat at the table. #NoDecisionWithoutUs #WDSD25

Disabled people aren’t excluded by accident. We’ve been pushed aside, silenced, and forced into isolation by a world that was never built with us in mind. The barriers we face aren’t just unfortunate oversights; they are systemic choices. Choices that keep us locked out of workplaces, schools, healthcare, and public spaces. Choices that strip us of autonomy and dignity while the world expects us to smile through it. And yet, when we demand change, people act surprised. They call us “angry” as if we should be grateful for scraps of access. The reality? We’re not asking for favors. We’re demanding what should have been there in the first place—basic, equal access to the same opportunities as everyone else. The problem isn’t our needs; the problem is society’s refusal to meet them. Our needs aren’t “special.” They are human. But here’s the kicker—disability isn’t some distant thing that happens to “other people.” It’s life. It’s illness, injury, aging, or sheer bad luck. It’s something most people will experience in their lifetime, yet they continue to ignore the fight for accessibility as if they’re immune. News flash: You’re not. The world you help create now is the world you will have to live in later. So, will you fight for a future where access and dignity are rights, not privileges? Or will you wait until it’s your turn to realize how broken the system is? #HumanInclusion #SDGs #WeAreBillionStrong #SDGs #BillionStrong #PeopleOfDetermination #LifeUSA #AXSChat #DisabilityConfident via @debraruh Image Credit: @nakedpastor David Hayward ID: A closed door with a sign that reads, "We Welcome Short People." Several figures can be seen peeking over the top of the door from inside. Outside, a person is attempting to reach the door handle, standing on the backs of two other individuals who are on all fours, supporting them. The image humorously, yet powerfully, symbolizes the barriers that people with disabilities or physical differences face. It conveys how access is theoretically "welcomed," but only with extraordinary, often degrading effort, reflecting inaccessibility and ableism.

“True sustainability and justice must include everyone, regardless of ability.” — @puneetsinghal22, “The Creatives” 2024 Frontliner, India Puneet Singhal’s Green Disability (@DisabilityGreen) is a community-based project operating at the intersection of disability inclusion, climate justice, and social equity to integrate accessibility into environmental policies. Through storytelling, documentaries, AI, creative organizing, and more forms of expression, Green Disability amplifies marginalized voices, empowers individuals with disabilities to become advocates for change, and works to ensure that accessibility and equity are central to social justice movements and climate conversations. Our world needs more inclusive environmental action. Puneet’s work is critical as we fight to achieve it.