Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law
In 1998, Israel enacted the “Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law”, which serves as the cornerstone of disability rights in the country. The law is based on the principles of equal opportunity, privacy, accessibility, and economic security for individuals with disabilities. [1][4]
Some key provisions of the law include:
- Prohibiting discrimination against persons with disabilities in areas like employment, education, and access to public services and places. [1]
- Requiring public places and services to be accessible to people with various disabilities (mobility, sight, hearing, etc.). [1]
- Establishing the right to privacy by restricting employers/service providers from inquiring about a person’s disability unnecessarily. [1]
- Providing economic security through disability pensions and allowances for those who have lost earning capacity due to their disability. [1][3]
Disability Pensions and Benefits
Israel provides a general disability pension (monthly stipend) for individuals who have lost at least 50% of their earning capacity due to a disability. The eligibility is determined by the National Insurance Institute based on medical and socio-economic factors. [3]
Individuals recognized as disabled are also entitled to various discounts and benefits from public institutions like transportation, utilities, health services, and local municipalities. [3]
Recent Efforts and Initiatives
In recent years, Israel has taken additional steps to promote disability rights, such as:
- Establishing institutions focused on the rights of children with disabilities. [2]
- Leading resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council and World Health Organization to address issues like cyberbullying and healthcare for persons with disabilities. [2]
- Implementing international development programs to advance accessibility and rights of persons with disabilities in humanitarian contexts. [2]
While progress has been made, the search results suggest that further efforts may be needed to fully implement and enforce disability rights legislation in Israel, particularly in areas like employment and social inclusion. [4]
Citations:
[1] https://lawoffice.org.il/en/disability-rights-in-israel/
[2] https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/08/experts-committee-rights-persons-disabilities-commend-israel-efforts-stimulate
[3] https://lawoffice.org.il/en/disability-pension-in-israel/
[4] https://dsq-sds.org/index.php/dsq/article/view/626/803
[5] https://gethelpisrael.com/webpage/?title=bituach-leumi-%28national-insurance%29-benefits
[6] https://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/education/special-education-resources-for-disabilities/government-offices-assisting-disabled-individuals/
[7] https://brookdale.jdc.org.il/en/publication/general-disability-benefit-recipients-work-injury-benefit-recipients-israel-characteristics-needs-areas-health-physical-mental-functioning/
[8] https://www.shekel.org.il/en/about/who-are-we
[9] https://www.jnf.org/our-work/disabilities-special-needs
[10] https://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/education/special-education-resources-for-disabilities/organizations-that-provide-services-for-disabilities/
[11] https://akimisrael.com
[12] https://www.aisrael.org/?ArticleID=49527&CategoryID=2110
[13] https://neeman.org.il/general-disability-and-disability-benefits-national-insurance/?lang=en
[14] https://adi-il.org
[15] https://www.israelgives.org/amuta/580040301
[16] https://www.bizchut.org.il/about-bizchut
[17] https://ilan-israel.co.il/en/
[18] https://disabilityin.org/country/israel/
[19] https://www.intuitbenefits.com/isr/financial-well-being/insurance
[20] https://www.btl.gov.il/English%20Homepage/Benefits/Disability%20Insurance/Pages/default.aspx