Today (Tuesday) marks the “International Day for the Equality of Rights for Persons with Disabilities.” This day is observed annually on December 3 and is dedicated to promoting understanding towards people with disabilities and encouraging support for their dignity, rights, and well-being. The purpose of the day is to unite people from around the world who celebrate and recognize the contributions, skills, and achievements of individuals with disabilities, and to raise awareness of the benefits of including people with disabilities in all aspects of life.
300 Individuals with Disabilities Evacuated from Combat Areas
During the war, the Disabilities Administration in the Ministry of Welfare led the evacuation of approximately 300 individuals with disabilities from 13 housing facilities in high-risk areas in the south and north of the country. The evacuation and stay in temporary accommodations were largely conducted with the permanent staff from the evacuated facilities, who accompanied the residents throughout their stay in the receiving facilities. This included adapting the receiving facilities to specific needs, providing essential nursing equipment, and specialized training for the receiving staff.
Additionally, over 1,000 individuals with disabilities and their families received assistance through vacation programs and evacuation facilities in hotels. The administration deployed about 500 social workers across 400 hotels, facilitated 130 recreational activities for approximately 1,800 participants, and established 105 clubs for children. More than 900 individuals are placed in foster families.
The Administration Mediated the Needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Population
The administration mediated with the Home Front Command regarding the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing population in terms of accessing warning signals, and coordinated between various entities to provide accessibility solutions. In addition, the administration operated telephone assistance centers available 24 hours a day, providing professional responses and emotional support to individuals with disabilities and their families, with a focus on coping with crisis and stress situations. Concurrently, dedicated support services were established in the evacuated hotels, including group and individual therapy.
11 New Rehabilitation Daycare Centers
Two years ago, a law was enacted for welfare services for individuals with disabilities, and according to data from the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, the transition of individuals with disabilities from institutions to independent living in the community is gaining momentum. Currently, 9,500 individuals with disabilities live in community housing, and an additional 156 new residents moved into housing during 2024, with another 600 expected to transition in 2025, as the law for welfare services for individuals with disabilities expands. Additionally, for the first time this year, community apartments for individuals requiring high levels of support have been opened, who until now were directed to institutions.
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- Approximately 174,000 individuals with disabilities are registered with the Disabilities Administration of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, 85,000 of whom receive services from the Ministry of Welfare: about 19,000 individuals with disabilities live in housing arrangements.
- About 11,500 individuals receive direct services, such as information stations, a technological hotline, sign language interpretation, and treatment centers, and over 900 individuals are placed in foster families.
- Over the past year, the ministry opened 10 protected employment centers and launched another joint project at a combined shopping and business complex. These centers provide services to about 5,850 people.
- The Disabilities Administration in the Ministry of Welfare opened an additional 20 resource centers for families in 2024, bringing the total to 100 active centers for families. These centers provide support, respite, and assistance in rights entitlements to over 20,000 families.
- This year, 11 new rehabilitation daycare centers were opened, and a total of 181 rehabilitation daycare centers are currently operating, serving about 5,700 toddlers.
- There are 12,333 children and adolescents aged 3-21 receiving services in the afternoon programs of the Disabilities Administration.
- The ministry funds 82 vacation programs for individuals with disabilities and their families throughout the country, operated by various organizations and nonprofits at a cost of 45 million.
