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Listly
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Listly
disabled people articles
The Context: Who Are the 'Transparent' Disabled? In Israel, as in many countries, a large segment of people with disabilities remains largely unseen in public discourse, marginalized by societal neglect and physical barriers. Estimates suggest that nearly 700,000 Israelis live with significant disabilities—whether cognitive, physical, sensory, or mental—and for many, inclusion in society remains more an aspiration than reality +13 +13 +13 . Transparency—in the sense of being overlooked, invisible, or 'transparent'—has been a persistent challenge. Advocacy groups, nonprofits, legislators, and grassroots leaders are now working to reverse this historically passive, rarely seen existence. Legal & Structural Progress a. Foundational Rights The 1998 Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law established legal recognition of disabled citizens' rights to work and general societal participation . In 2009, Israel introduced digital accessibility regulations, mandating public websites and apps adhere to accessibility standards that benefit users with motor, cognitive, and visual impairments . b. Infrastructure & Transit In terms of mobility and public transit, Israel has made measurable strides: Israeli city buses, trains, and stations are increasingly low-floor, wheelchair-accessible, with reserved spaces . Transit apps (Moovit) have integrated blind-friendly support via VoiceOver and TalkBack features . Despite progress, an estimated 10% of public venues—including courts, clinics, cultural sites, and municipal offices—remain inaccessible, according to Access Israel . Advocacy & Empowerment Organizations a. Access Israel A central advocate, Access Israel, focuses on real-world accessibility—emphasizing not just entry but also the full usability of public services +3 +3 +3 . In wartime or emergencies, Access Israel's Purple Vest Mission mobilizes volunteers to assist those who might be invisible in shelter evacuations or bomb alerts. To date, they've evacuated over 3,000 individuals with disabilities and supported 2,000 families during crises +1 +1 . A volunteer reflected: 'Thank you for making me and my family feel, for the first time, that we are not transparent – that someone sees us for who we are and wants to help us!' b. Specialized NGOs & Programs Israel Elwyn, with over 5,200 clients, works on early intervention, vocational training, supported living, and media advocacy. Their #Love_Kav campaign (Dec 2024) raised public awareness about transit challenges and respectful conduct toward passengers with disabilities +1 +1 . Kenafayim ('Wings') is a pioneering Tel Aviv arts center where individuals with intellectual or mental health disabilities create art, theater, and music—earning both professional income and visibility . Shalva Band, formed in 2005 by and for people with disabilities, gained national acclaim when they performed during the Eurovision 2019 semi-final — symbolizing their message that music transcends difference . c. Groups Promoting Cultural Inclusion SHEKEL, integrating people with autism into music, tech, agriculture, and more; one standout is their collaboration with Mobileye to hire autistic engineers in high-tech roles . Alut and Epi-Asperger's Association Israel address autistic children and adults through specialized education, residential care, and employment supports. Programs even enable military service in Unit 9900 for individuals on the autism spectrum . Inclusion Through National Service: 'Special in Uniform' The 'Special in Uniform' program represents a groundbreaking shift. Launched within the Israeli Defense Forces, it enables individuals with disabilities to serve on military bases alongside peers—empowering them and normalizing disability within a highly structured national institution . Although specific military roles vary, many participants pursue careers in communications, logistics, and even IT—demonstrating that disability need not preclude meaningful, contributing national service. Technological Inclusion and Innovation Israel's startup culture is actively addressing disability inclusion through innovation: ReWalk exoskeletons enable people with spinal injuries to stand, walk, and climb stairs again . AbiliSense turns ambient sound into tactile or visual signals for deaf users . Paratrek adapts wheelchairs for rough terrain, allowing people with paraplegia to enjoy hiking . A3I Accelerator supports startups focused on disability tech, fostering domestic innovation . Persistent Challenges: Institutions & Wartime Realities a. Institutionalization Despite legal progress, around 88% of cognitively impaired Israelis in non-independent living situations are housed in large institutions, often isolated and service-poor . Although a 2022 Knesset law affirmed the right to independent community living, many regulations and reforms remain pending implementation . b. Emergency Vulnerability Conflict reveals the acute disadvantages faced by people with disabilities. Elderly or mobility-impaired residents may be unable to reach shelters during rocket alerts, lacking supportive infrastructure . During conflict, specialized centers like Shalva and ADI have functioned as emergency shelters and community hubs, offering consistent routines and respite +1 +1 . Meanwhile, in Gaza, disabled individuals encounter even more extreme barriers to evacuation and care—a sobering reminder of the broader regional disparities . Voices from the Front Lines Israel's advancements are powered not just by law, but by the voices and lived experiences of people with disabilities: Michal Rimon, CEO of Access Israel, highlights the shift from physical ramp building to transforming society's DNA—emphasizing empathy and non-visible access +15 +15 +15 . A Purple Vest volunteer recalls, 'we are not transparent'— speaking to the shift from invisibility toward recognition . Shalva Band vocalist Anael Khalifa, visually impaired, said: 'Despite our challenges, music gives us the ability to see the light in everything. And gives us the strength to continue and connect between worlds...' These voices refract the same theme: visibility empowers. Looking Ahead: Building a Truly Inclusive Society Israel's journey toward disability inclusion is punctuated by bold initiatives and structural barriers—but the prevailing momentum is clear: Legislative enforcement: Updating inaccessible public buildings and integrating services to match legal rights. Deinstitutionalization: Transitioning from isolation to supported community living through meaningful reform action. Tech-led inclusion: Encouraging innovation to expand independence and participation. Cultural normalization: Visibility through arts, media, education, and national service. Emergency preparedness: Ensuring that public safety systems encompass every ability and need. 🔚 In Summary: From Transparency to Visibility Israel is emerging from the shadows of ignoring or 'transparently' folding disability into societal margins. Through cooperation among lawmakers, nonprofits, technologists, activists, and disabled individuals themselves, disability is being reframed as diversity, not deficiency. The visible presence of wheelchair-using musicians on Eurovision's world stage, tech-savvy autistic engineers, soldiers in uniform, app developers designing for accessibility, and 'Purple Vest' volunteers in emergencies—these are the signposts of a society evolving toward real inclusion. The journey is ongoing, but one thing is certain: as Israeli disabled people step into the light, society must grow to meet them—building environments, tools, services, and attitudes that say loud and clear: You are seen. You belong. The Power of Language and Visibility In Hebrew, the term 'נְתוּן לְהִסְתָּכְלוּת' (netun le-histaklut) means 'subject to observation,' while 'שקוף' (shakuf), or 'transparent,' implies a person who is overlooked or invisible. Disabled activists in Israel have increasingly reclaimed this concept, turning the word on its head. They argue that to be 'seen' is not just a metaphorical concept—it is the right to take part in civic life: from education and employment to love and public presence. A powerful slogan that has emerged from disability-rights groups is: "אל תסתכל עליי – תראה אותי" 'Don't look at me—see me.' This phrase encapsulates the call not for pity or charity, but for recognition and engagement. Personal Stories: From Margins to the Mainstream a. Noga's Journey to Self-Expression Noga, a 32-year-old woman from Haifa with cerebral palsy, was institutionalized from the age of 10. In 2019, she moved to a supported living community through the organization Akim, and her life was transformed. 'I was always quiet, invisible. They told me I couldn't speak, but I had so much to say,' she explains through her eye-gaze communication device. Now, Noga performs spoken-word poetry in cafes, addressing themes of identity and empowerment. Her story challenges the traditional assumption that those with severe physical or communication impairments cannot participate in culture or civil dialogue. b. Yossi, the High-Tech Coder Diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at 14, Yossi struggled to find work that accommodated his sensory sensitivities and social preferences. Thanks to a coding bootcamp run by ALUT and Microsoft Israel, he now works as a back-end developer for a Tel Aviv fintech firm. 'Autism doesn't mean I can't contribute. It just means I contribute differently,' he says. His employer created a custom work schedule and quiet zone workspace—small accommodations that made a world of difference. c. Ruthie and the Struggle for Basic Accessibility Ruthie, 66, uses a wheelchair after a degenerative spinal condition. For years, she couldn't attend synagogue, weddings, or family events because of physical inaccessibility. 'It's like being spiritually invisible,' she said. In 2022, with help from Beit Issie Shapiro, her local congregation built a ramp and designated a wide-access aisle. 'I cried the first time I joined a Shabbat service again,' she recalls. 'For once, I wasn't just the guest everyone forgot.' The Role of Media and Representation Until the last decade, disability in Israeli media was either absent or framed through the lens of pity or tragedy. That has begun to change: TV series like 'On the Spectrum' (אֲנִי עַל הַסְּפֶקְטְרוּם) brought autistic characters to the screen with nuance and authenticity. The show, written by Dana Idisis—whose brother is on the autism spectrum—received international acclaim. It was even adapted by Amazon Studios in the U.S. as As We See It. Public broadcasters like Kan 11 have begun airing inclusive news segments and giving airtime to activists with disabilities, including interviews conducted with AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) devices. The 2023 Eurovision selection show in Israel featured multiple performers with visible and invisible disabilities, breaking cultural taboos and promoting acceptance through mainstream art. Representation matters: it's how the public rewrites assumptions. When disabled people are only ever portrayed as helpless, the broader society assumes dependency is a default. When they are seen working, creating, loving, arguing, or simply living fully, they cease to be 'transparent.' Educational Integration: A Mixed Report Card The Ministry of Education has made inclusive education a policy priority, with thousands of children with disabilities integrated into mainstream classrooms. However, quality varies greatly across municipalities and is heavily dependent on budget allocations and teacher training. According to a 2023 report by the Israel National Council for the Child, while 81% of children with disabilities attend mainstream schools, only 37% report a positive social experience. Many face bullying, isolation, or untrained staff unable to meet their specific learning or sensory needs. Innovative programs like 'Kulan' (We All Belong) are trying to change this. They provide workshops to nondisabled students about empathy, diversity, and inclusion, and assign integration aides who are trained not just in logistics, but in fostering emotional and social inclusion. Policy Battles: The Fight for Dignified Income One of the most persistent and painful issues for Israeli disabled people is economic invisibility. The national disability pension is approximately 3,900–4,000 NIS/month (around $1,000), which is barely enough to cover rent in most Israeli cities, let alone food, medicine, or assistive care. Repeated protests, including tent cities and marches to the Knesset, have called for linking the disability pension to the minimum wage (currently ~5,300 NIS/month). Some gains have been made—especially in 2018 after a hunger strike and broad coalition support—but full parity is still pending. Groups like Nitgaber – Transparent Disabled People, led by activists like Assaf Benyamini, push for structural reform. They emphasize: Equal access to education and employment. More robust housing support. End to institutional discrimination in health and insurance systems. Their motto, "We are not invisible", has appeared on placards, websites, and in coalition advocacy letters to the UN and Israeli ministries. Intersectionality: Disability + Other Marginalizations Disability does not exist in a vacuum. Many Israelis with disabilities also face ethnic, linguistic, religious, or economic discrimination. Arab citizens of Israel with disabilities often encounter additional barriers in terms of access to services, especially in rural or underfunded areas. Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) families may underreport or underdiagnose children due to community stigmas, leading to gaps in intervention and support. LGBTQ+ people with disabilities face dual marginalization, especially when institutions are not inclusive of diverse identities. Intersectionality has become a keyword in the evolving disability discourse in Israel. Activists are working to make the movement more inclusive, ensuring that visibility includes all kinds of disability experiences. From 'Special' to Equal: Changing the Social Contract The transition from being viewed as 'special'—a word often used to soften disability-related issues—to being recognized as equal is not merely semantic. It reflects a broader societal evolution. Instead of framing people with disabilities as inspirational exceptions or burdens to be pitied, modern advocacy pushes the view that disabled people are citizens first—with rights, responsibilities, and agency. In 2025 and beyond, a new generation of Israeli children—both disabled and nondisabled—is growing up with more inclusive books, classrooms, TV shows, and even playgrounds. The future looks more visible, more accessible, and more equal. Final Thoughts: What Visibility Really Means To be seen—not stared at, not pitied, but truly seen—is a fundamental human need. For far too long, Israel's disabled community lived in the margins: in institutions, in back rooms, in homes with no ramps, in schools with no aides, in policies written without their voices. Today, that invisibility is cracking. Through activism, technology, legal reform, art, and sheer determination, disabled Israelis are carving out space in every corner of life—from coding floors to concert halls, classrooms to Knesset hearings. The road ahead remains uneven. But the call is loud, and the message is clear: 'We are not transparent. We are here. See us.'
Observer
16-05-2025
- Observer
Apps you'll want to take on vacation: A digital packing list
So you can whip together a weekend bag or fit a fortnight's worth of outfits into a rolling suitcase, but does your status as 'packing guru' extend to your phone or tablet? Think of your device as a second carry-on, with its own packing list of apps that are essential for entertainment, getting around, safety and more. 'Everyone talks about making the super app, the one place for everything you need,' said Gilbert Ott, partnerships director at a website that helps travellers manage loyalty points, 'but no one has done it yet.' Until that super travel app exists, here are some suggested apps to download before you go. Public Wi-Fi networks like those in cafes and hotels may not be secure, so to keep criminals from intercepting passwords, credit card numbers and emails, 'it's better to encrypt your internet activity,' Ott said. One method to keep data secure is to download and use virtual private networks like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, which encrypt your web doings. Both charge about $13 per month for a monthly plan and about half that rate for a yearly plan. Another VPN provider, Mullvad, charges about $5.50 per month. It may be tempting to store copies of important documents like passports, health insurance cards and prescriptions on your phone as photos, but it's more secure to use apps that encrypt that information, like 1Password (starting at $35.88 per year) and Microsoft OneDrive Personal Vault (included with a $99.99-per-year Microsoft 365 subscription or, for nonsubscribers, three files free storage). The US government's free Mobile Passport Control app can help US citizens and some other groups — even travellers not in the Global Entry programme — make their way through immigration and customs more quickly by scanning their passport into the app and adding a selfie within four hours of arrival. Preloading the information speeds your interaction with the officer. For detailed information on public transportation that can go beyond Google Maps, Moovit (free with ads or Moovit+ with additional features and no ads for $17.99 per year) and Citymapper (free with ads or $9.99 per year) can help with routes, fares and trip length around the world. In cities like New York and London, make sure you've loaded a credit or debit card in your digital wallet and set it up for transit to avoid lines by using touchless payment at turnstiles. In some countries, hailing a cab on the street may be difficult or unsafe. So where Uber and Lyft aren't available, download local trusted ride-hailing apps that offer set fares and location tracking. In Vietnam, Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, for example, Grab offers rides in cars, taxis and on the backs of motorcycles. In India, Ola is a popular choice. ENTERTAINMENT For hours spent in planes, trains and hotel rooms, load your device with a mix of diversions and destination information. Taylor Beal, a travel blogger from Philadelphia, who leads high school groups on trips to Europe, recommends borrowing electronic library books using Libby and Hoopla. The apps are free but require a local library card from one of the more than 90,000 participating public libraries and schools. For road trips in the United States, the phone app Autio ($35.99 annually, with a free trial) offers 23,000 short stories and information about the surrounding landscape and history, based on your location. Offerings include Kevin Costner on the northern Great Plains and John Lithgow on 'Footloose' filming locations. Keeping track of who paid for what among a group of friends can be a fun-killing chore. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst for Upgraded Points, recommends Splitwise Pro ($39.99 per year, or a limited free version), which tracks and divides up expenses for taxis, meals and more. Other apps like Tricount (free) and Settle Up (free, or $19.99 per year for the premium version) offer similar services. For tracking flights and making plans either solo or with companions, TripIt (free version or TripItPro $49 per year) and Wanderlog (free version or Wanderlog Pro for $39.99 per year) can tame even complicated itineraries. You may already have Google Translate on your device, but that app also has some lesser-known handy features. Point your camera at a foreign menu, train station sign or receipt, for example and Google can translate it — even with non-Roman characters. The Conversation button in the app lets you pass your phone back and forth when you're trying to get directions, order food, ask for help and more. You can even create a custom phrase book in the app. Bloomberg Connects has teamed up with more than 800 museums and other cultural spaces, like the New York Botanical Garden, around the world to offer free information on their exhibits, complementing local organisations like the Musée Carnavalet, a history museum in Paris, which often have institution-specific apps. Of course, there's always the good, old-fashioned way to travel — wandering around and letting serendipity take the lead. Is there an app for that, too? — The New York Times
