The dominant view in the western world today is that people with disabilities should live together with people without disabilities in normal society and that they should be treated like regular citizens while respecting their uniqueness and differences.
In 1998, the Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act was enacted. The act defines the rights of people with disabilities and the obligations of the society in Israel to uphold these rights. The rights are based on the recognition of the principle of equality, and the value and respect of each person. The purpose of the act is to ensure the right of people with disabilities to equal and active participation in society in every aspect of life, to provide a suitable response to their special needs in a way that allows them to live their life as independently as possible, in privacy and honor, and likewise to contribute to society while using all of their abilities.
By virtue of the law and with the goal of its implementation, it was decided to set up the Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which acts in the Justice Ministry from August 2000 under the leadership of Dr. Dina Feldman. The group is entrusted with applying the Equalities Act and other relevant laws and they act to prevent discrimination, removing obstacles and physical, sensual, intellectual, psychological, cognitive, and social barriers for the advancement, active participation, and integration of people with disabilities as citizens with equal rights and obligations in the Israeli society.
In conjunction with all of the relevant agencies in the government, local municipalities, the public authorities, organizations for the handicapped, and the private sector the commission is involved with and forms policies, standards, and special initiatives on subjects that influence the protection and advancement of the rights and integration of people with disabilities in society according to the principles of equality and social justice.
The Equal Rights Act instructs to establish an advisory committee in addition to the commission who's purpose is to advise the group regarding topics that are related to the roles of the commission, the principles of the law, preventing discrimination and encouraging integration and active participation. The commission includes today: a commissioner, legal advisor, community requests director, national information director, explanation and training director. In charge of the placement process is the secretary of the chief administration branch for integration in the community. There are also counselors active in the area of visual and auditory availability and integration in education and more. |
