This portal contains extensive information regarding the rights of the blind and visually impaired.
In Israel there are thousands of people suffering from visual impairment. Many of them are recognized as blind and visually impaired. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services issues a Certificate of Blindness/Visual Impairment, which entitles the holder to various rights and benefits detailed in this portal.
General
Benefits and General Assistance
- Disabled Child Benefit for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Disability Pension and Related Benefits
- Special Services Benefit (Attendance Allowance) and Related Benefits
- IADL Test Checking Entitlement to Allowance for Special Services
- Guide Dog Allowance
- Allowance for the Blind/Visually Impaired
- Long-Term Care Benefit
- ADL Test Exemption for a Blind Person who Lives Alone
- Financial Assistance for Blind Immigrants
- Insurance for Serious Illnesses as part of a Private Health Insurance Policy
Rights of Parents of Blind Children
Assistive Devices
- Assistance Purchasing Assistive Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Assistance Purchasing Braille Assistive Devices
- Assistance Purchasing Rehabilitation Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Assistance Purchasing Assistive Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Assistance Purchasing Braille Assistive Devices
- Assistance Purchasing Rehabilitation Devices for Blind and Visually Impaired Children and Adults
- Azarim - Vision assistive devices (in English)
- Smartphone, Computer, and Electronic Device Service and Support Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Computers
- Assistance Receiving a Work Station for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Computer Station Lending Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Computer Station Modification for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Learning and Using Computer Equipment for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Smartphone, Computer, and Electronic Device Service and Support Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Technical Support Call Center, using special technology, for using the National Insurance Institute Website - *5048
Accessibility and Mobility
- Accessibility
- Accessibility for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Public Transportation
- Accessibility for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Trains
- Allowance for the Blind/Visually Impaired
- Discounts on Bus Travel for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Train Travel Cost Exemption for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Travel Expenses for Blind Victims of Hostile Acts
- Disabled Parking Permit
- Allotment and Marking of a Parking Spot for a Blind Person Close to his/her Home
Employment, Vocational Rehabilitation and Job Placement
- Information and Advising Stations for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Professional Rehabilitation and Educational Assistance for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Rehabilitation Centers for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Job Placement for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Sheltered Employment for the Blind and Visually Impaired
In the Workplace
- Workplace Accommodations for Employees With Disabilities
- Assistance Receiving a Work Station for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Computer Station Lending Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Sheltered Employment for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Avoda L'Ofek Program for youth during the summer vacation
Preschool and Daycare
School
- Accessibility for blind and visually impaired schoolchildren
- Therapeutic Schools for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
- Extended School Day (TAGIL) for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
- Support Teacher for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
- Batei Talmid - Special Educational Framework for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
- Accommodations in order to integrate disabled students on trips and activities outside of school
- Meitzav Examination Accommodations
Matriculation Examination (Bagrut) and the Psychometric Examination
Higher Education
- Academic Preparatory Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Higher Education for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Support Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
- Tutoring for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
- Reading Hours for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
- Assistance Receiving a Work Station for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Computer Station Lending Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Assistance for Blind and Visually Impaired Students
Functional Rehabilitation
- Low Vision Rehabilitation
- Low vision rehabilitation at Migdal Or
- Rehabilitative Training for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Rehabilitative Training for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
- Instructional Living for Blind and Visually Impaired Youth
- Assistance Purchasing Assistive Devices for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Guide Dogs for Victims of Hostile Acts
Emotional and Social Support Services
- Mentoring for Blind Children and Children of the Blind
- Mentors for Children and Young Adults with Physical Disabilities or Sensory Impairment
- B'GOVA AYNAIM - Activities for Visually Impaired/ Blind Youth
- NOAR B'YACHAD - Activities for Visually Impaired/ Blind Youth
- Multi-Service Center for the Blind (MARSHAL):
- Multi-Service Center for the Blind (MARSHAL) - Haifa
- Self-Help Groups for the Blind and Visually Impaired (KALA)
- Social Clubs for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Discounts and Exemptions
Additional Rights and Benefits
- Treatment Centers for Blind and Visually Impaired Toddlers
- Interpretation Services for the Deaf-Blind
- Libraries for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Vacation and Entertainment Programs for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Sports Activities for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Limitations on the seizure of blind and visually impaired people's assets
- Representation by a public defender during criminal proceedings
Taxes
- Income Tax Exemption for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Income Tax Credit Points for a Non-Working Spouse
- Income Tax Credit Points for Parents of Blind Children
- Purchase Tax Discount for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Customs and Purchase Tax Refunds for the Blind/Visually Impaired
- Municipal Property Tax (Arnona) Discount for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Municipal Property Tax (Arnona) Discount for Parents of Blind Children
Housing
- Municipal Property Tax (Arnona) Discount for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Assistance Purchasing Housing (Mortgage) for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Rental Assistance for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Exemption for the Blind and Visually Impaired for payment to the Israel Lands Authority
- Purchase Tax Discount for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Municipal Property Tax (Arnona) Discount for Parents of a Child with Disabilities
- Instructional Living for Blind and Visually Impaired Youth
- Beit Ofek - Sheltered Housing for the Deaf and Blind
- Supported Housing Program for People with Disabilities
Migdal Or Services
Functional Rehabilitation for the Elderly
Volunteering
Blind Victims of Hostile Acts
Aid Organizations
- Societies for the Blind
- Tzemed - Association of Guide Dog Users
- Ofek Liyladenu – Our Children's Horizon
- ELIYA Association for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
- The Al-Manarah Association
- Jewish Institute for the Blind
- Lirot – The Israeli Research Association for Eye Health and Blindness Prevention
- Migdal Or
- The Michaelson Institute for Rehabilitation of Vision
- Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind
- The Mary Rosen Vocational Rehabilitation Center
- The Beth David Institute - The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons
- The Center for the Blind in Israel
- The Optical Vision Foundation
- The Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped
- Joint Israel - Disabilities and Rehabilitation Department
- Kivunim - Furthering the Children with Special Needs
- Seeing Eyes for the Blind in Israel
- ALEH - The Society of Blind and Dyslexic Students in Israel
- Keren Or
- NAMAG The Association of AMD patients in Israel
- Click here for a general list of organizations that assist people with disabilities
Government agencies
- The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services - Disabilities Department
- Ministry of Education - Supervision of Blind and Visually Impaired Students' Education
- The Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor – The Office for the Integration of People with Disabilities into the Workforce
- The National Insurance Institute
Court Rulings
Laws & Regulations
- List of laws and regulations related to the rights of the blind - from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services website
- The Prohibition of Discrimination Against Blind People Accompanied by a Guide Dog Law
- The Welfare Services Law
- Welfare Services Regulations (Need Criteria) - Section 4: Receiving a Certificate of Blindness
- Welfare Services Regulations (Care of the Needy)
- The Integration Law
Additional publications
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services - Guide to Rights and Services for the Blind in Israel (available in Hebrew, Arabic, Amharic and Russian)
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services - Rehabilitation Branch: Guide for Those Employing a Blind Worker with a Guide Dog
Credits
- Original information regarding the blind and visually impaired was primarily based on the Guide to Rights and Services for the Blind in Israel from the Blind Services Department (Rehabilitation Branch, Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services), and was uploaded to the site with the assistance of Blind Services Department grant recipients.
- Original translation performed by The Shira Pransky Project as part of a grant from The Fellowship Fund.