People with disabilities are entitled to a life of dignity, health and equality. Here are the rights everyone should know about
Living with disabilities should not have to come with exclusion from society, humiliation and suffering. Our society is measured by its ability to accommodate everyone. We must ensure accessibility, special accommodations, integration of people with disabilities into the employment sphere, equal education and more. In this portal you will find all the rights that are important to know if you are a person with disabilities or if you live with a person with disabilities. These pages are relevant for all ages - from birth through old age. Please note: The information is divided according to different aspects in life, as well as by different types of disabilities: Areas of Life: Divided according to different areas including transportation, employment, accessibility, education, military, etc. Types of Disabilities: Divided according to different types of disabilities including developmental, emotional, chronic, sensory, etc.
Filing Disability Claims
- Free Aid for Filing Disability Claims with the National Insurance Institute
- Yad Mechavenet -A free advice and guidance service to the National Insurance medical committee
- Financial assistance for claims against National Insurance
- Rights for People with Medical Disabilities that are not Contingent on Receiving a Disability Pension
Pensions and Benefits
- Disability Pension and Related Benefits
- Disabled Child Benefit and Related Benefits
- Mobility Benefit
- Long-Term Care Benefit
- Special Services Benefit (Attendance Allowance) and Related Benefits
- Old Age Disability Pension
- Disability Pension and Disability Grant for Work Injury Victims
- Disability Benefits for Victims of Hostile Acts
- Financial Benefits for Ringworm Victims
- Benefit for Adults on a Respirator
- Supplement to the disabled child benefit for a child who is ventilated on a respirator
- Benefit for a handicapped single-parent mother
- Receiving Income Support without Going to an Employment Office
- Financial Assistance for Immigrants with Blindness and Disabilities
- Rights from the National Insurance Institute
Specific Information on Specific Types of Disabilities
- Determining Disability by a Medical Committee for General Disability
- Autism
- Deafness and Hearing Impairment
- Blindness and Visual Impairment
- Learning Disabilities and ADD/ADHD
- Mental Health
- Intellectual Developmental Disabilities
- Chronic Illness
- Motor Disorders
- People who Require Long-Term Care
- Diseases, Syndromes, and Disorders
Life Cycle
Health
- Supportive Care (Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, Assisted-Living)
- Exemptions and Discounts for Health Plan Medical Services
- Exemptions and Discounts to Purchase Medication
- Assistance in filing disability claims for patients in hospital
- Receipt of Medical Cannabis
- Emotional Support for Patients and People with Disabilities from the Kupot Cholim
Assistive Devices
- Medical and Rehabilitation Equipment Acquisition
- Financing Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices
- Azarim - a Comprehensive Database of Assistive Devices through Milbat
Dental Care
- Dental Care for People with Disabilities
- Dental Care for People with Disabilities at Beit Issie Shapiro
- Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia for People with Disabilities
- Mobile Dental Care Service for Seniors and Adults with Limited Mobility
- Funding for Complex Dental Care for People with Disabilities by the Ted Arison Foundation
Housing
Education
- Special Education and Integration into Regular Education
- Students with Disabilities
- Psychometric examination accommodations
- Board of Certified Public Accountants examination accommodations
- University Preparatory Program for Students with Disabilities
- Adjustments to enable integration of students with disabilities on trips and activities outside the school
- Vocational Studies for People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities at Yevulim Employment College
- Financial Education Course for People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities offered by Chimes Israel
Employment
- Employment of People with Disabilities
- Revadim - Employment Guidance Center for People with Disabilities
- Anti-Discrimination Laws Against Workers with a Disability
- Anti-Discrimination Laws when the Employment Office Sends Individuals for Jobs
- Accommodations for the Disabled in their Places of Work
- Fair representation for people with disabilities in the workplace
- Centers for Support and Guidance or Employers on Employing People with Disabilities
- Vocational Rehabilitation and Educational Assistance for People with Disability
- Income Tax Exemption for People with Medical Disability
- Income Tax Credit Points for a Non-Working Spouse
- "To be a student" program - gradual introduction to academia for people with disabilities
Accessibility and Transportation
- Accessibility
- Disabled Parking Permit
- Reduced License Fee for Disabled Parking Permit Holders
- Marking a Disabled Parking Area Near the Home of a Person with Disabilities
- Medical Tests to Qualify to Drive
- Theory Test Accommodations
- Exemption from Payment of Hospital Parking Fees
- Discount on Bus Travel, the Jerusalem Light-rail and the Metrobus for the Disabled
- Discount on Train Travel for the Disabled
- Exemption from paying taxi fees for carrying a wheel chair
- Prohibition of Discrimination Against People with Disabilities on Public Transportation
- No Queues for People with Disabilities in Public Places
- A person who accompanies someone with disabilities is exempt from payment in public places
- Galgaley Darom - Transportation Information and Assistance for People with Disabilities in the South
Military and National Service
- Shibulim Program - Integration of Youth with Disabilities into Pre-Army Programs
- Volunteering in the IDF for Military Exemption Recipients
- Vocational Training for IDF Volunteers with Disabilities
- Shiluv Menatzeach - Integrating Young People with Disabilities into the IDF
- 'Tochnit Mshlavim' National Civil Service for Young People with Disabilities
- 'Tochnit Asuma' Intergrating Young People with Disabilities into National Civil Service
- National civil service
Legal Issues
- Guardianship
- Free Legal Aid
- Representation by a public defender in criminal proceedings
- Limitations on the Seizure of People with Disabilities' Assets
- Accessible Testimony Process in a Trial for People with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism
- "Accessible Justice" - Making Legal Proceedings Accessible for People with Disabilities
- Submitting a Claim Following the Birth of one who is Disabled due to a Failed Diagnosis or Medical Malpractice
Social and Recreational
- 'Hishtalvut B'Pnai - Program' - Recreational Integration for People with Special Needs
- Reim Program - Social Groups for People with Communication Difficulties
- Recreation, Trips, and Nature Activities for People with Disabilities
- Hayot v'Haverim - Assistance with Pet Adoption and Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities
- The Calbei Lituf Program for Seniors and People with Disabilities
- Discounts at Museums and Other Sites for Certificate of Disability Holders
- Certificate of Disability
- Summer camp for children and adolescents with intellectual developmental disabilities
Finances
- Discounted Bank Fees for People with Disabilities
- Tax Exemptions for Withdrawing Funds for People with Disabilities
- ax Exemptions for Withdrawing Money from Provident Fund (Kupat Gemel) for High Medical Expenses
- Cancellation of a deal done remotely or through peddling by a disabled person
*Prohibition of Discriminating against People with Disabilities in Insurance Contracts (different treatment)
General
- Rights for People with Medical Disabilities that are not Contingent on Receiving a Disability Pension
- Mediation Services for People with Disabilities
- HEYANUT Center - An interdisciplinary holistic center for people with special needs and their families
- Supportive Communities for People with Disabilities
- Definition of a disabled person according to the Equal Rights For Persons With Disabilities Law
- "Monitors" - program to assist young adults (age 21-35) with disabilities on the JDC Israel website
- Guide for Work Injury Victims
Rights for Family Members
- Sick Days to Care for a Family Member
- Income Tax Credit Points for a Child or Adult with Disabilities
- Income Tax Credit Points for a Non-Working Spouse
- Income Tax Credit for a Child in Housing Outside the Home
- Income Tax Credit for a Parent or Spouse Living in an Institution
- Tax Exemption for Withdrawing Funds from Provident Fund (Kupat Gemel) for Family Members of People with Disabilities
- Tax Exemptions for Withdrawing Money from Provident Fund (Kupat Gemel) for High Medical Expenses
- Anti-Discrimination Laws Against Workers who's Family Members have a Disability
- Benefits for a Couple that Give Birth to a Disabled Person
- Unpaid Leave Following Maternity Leave
- Rights Guide for Individuals Caring for an Elderly Family Member or Person With Disabilities
- Guide for Parents of Adults with Special Needs
Aid organizations
- For a comprehensive categorized listing of aid organizations offering assistance and support for people with disabilities, see: People with Disabilities/Aid Organizations.
Government agencies
Court Rulings
- For rulings on the topic of people with disabilities, see here.
- For rulings on the topic of the National Insurance Institute's Medical Committees see here
Laws & Regulations
- The National Insurance Law
- The Equal Rights for People with Disabilities Law
- Section 15 (a) of The Civil Service Law - Proper representation of people with disabilities among civil service workers.
- Rights of People with Disabilities Employed as Rehabilitation Clients Law
Additional publications
- People with Disabilities in Israel (2017) - Written by the Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities an the Meyers Joint - Brookdale Institute
- Ministry of Health information booklet: "Health Insurance and Medical Services for Special Populations" (in Hebrew)
- Rights and Eligibility on Transportation for People with Disabilities -written by Bizchut and JDC Israel
- A Guide: What Are Your Rights When Receiving Services? - on the Commission for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities website
- دليل المنارة- حقوق الأشخاص مع إعاقة
Credits
- Original translation performed by The Shira Pransky Project as part of a grant from The Fellowship Fund.