Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (Israel) – Simplified Explanation
Overview
The Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act is Israel’s cornerstone legislation for promoting equality, accessibility, and inclusion. It guarantees that persons with disabilities have the same rights, opportunities, and access as everyone else in all areas of life.
The Act prohibits discrimination based on disability and requires businesses, public institutions, and government agencies to provide reasonable accommodations—ensuring that persons with disabilities can participate fully and independently in society.
Beyond legal protection, the law reflects Israel’s broader commitment to social inclusion and human dignity, aiming to build a society where diversity is valued, and accessibility is a shared responsibility.
Key Provisions in Simple Language
1. Non-Discrimination
The Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their disability in any aspect of life.
- The law covers employment, education, healthcare, housing, and public services.
- Discrimination includes denying access, unequal treatment, or exclusion from opportunities.
- Public and private entities must promote equal participation and fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of disability.
2. Accessibility Requirements
Accessibility is one of the main pillars of the Act, ensuring that people with disabilities can navigate public and digital environments independently.
- Public places such as restaurants, shops, offices, schools, and government buildings must include:
- Ramps and elevators
- Braille or tactile signage
- Accessible restrooms
- Designated parking spaces and barrier-free pathways
- Digital accessibility is equally important:
- Websites, mobile apps, and online services must be designed for use with assistive technologies like screen readers and keyboard navigation.
- Public websites must meet Israeli Standard 5568, which aligns with WCAG 2.0 international guidelines.
These standards ensure that both physical and online spaces are usable by everyone, promoting equal access to information and services.
3. Reasonable Accommodations
The law requires employers, educators, and service providers to make reasonable accommodations that enable persons with disabilities to participate fully in work, education, and daily life.
- Accommodations may include:
- Flexible work hours or adjusted schedules
- Assistive technologies, such as speech-to-text software or hearing aids
- Modified workspaces or adapted classroom environments
- These adjustments must be made as long as they do not cause undue hardship to the organization or employer.
This provision ensures that persons with disabilities can contribute and succeed in inclusive settings without unnecessary barriers.
4. Rights in Education & Employment
Education and employment are key areas protected under the Act.
- Education:
- Schools and universities must provide equal access to learning through accommodations such as accessible classrooms, learning materials, and support staff.
- Inclusive education is encouraged to integrate students with disabilities into mainstream settings wherever possible.
- Employment:
- Employers cannot refuse to hire, promote, or train a person solely due to their disability.
- Persons with disabilities must be given equal opportunities if they are qualified for the job.
- The government supports workplace inclusion programs and incentives for businesses that employ persons with disabilities.
Together, these measures ensure that persons with disabilities can learn, work, and advance on equal footing with others.
5. Public Transportation Accessibility
Transportation plays a vital role in independence and social inclusion.
- The Act mandates that buses, trains, taxis, and other public transport services must be accessible and user-friendly for persons with disabilities.
- Accessibility features include:
- Wheelchair ramps and lifts
- Priority seating
- Audio and visual announcements for stations and stops
- Accessible ticketing machines and entry gates
- Public transport authorities are responsible for maintaining these features and ensuring safe, convenient mobility for all passengers.
Important Dates
Year / Date | Milestone / Update | Notes / Focus |
|---|---|---|
1998 | Law passed by Knesset | The Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law (5758-1998) is adopted. |
January 1, 1999 | Law comes into effect | The law officially enters into force on this date. |
2000 | Establishment of the Commission for Equal Rights | The Ministry of Justice sets up the commission to oversee enforcement and public policy. |
2012 | Significant amendment (Amendment No. 11) | Enhancements to the law are adopted, expanding protections and detailing responsibilities.. |
October 6, 2016 | Regulations for public internet services amended | Public service providers were given deadlines to make their internet services accessible. |
October 26, 2017 | Deadline for public bodies’ websites to be compliant | Existing internet services of public bodies had to meet accessibility adjustments by this date. |
The Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law was enacted in 1998 and took effect in 1999, establishing a legal rights-based framework in Israel. Over time, it has been strengthened with new regulations and amendments. A notable step was the 2016 amendment for public internet services, which required compliance by 2017 for government and public bodies. Many of the accessibility requirements are now already active under this law and its subsequent regulations.
Conclusion
This explanation is a simplified summary of the Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. For full details, refer to the official document here:
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/equal_rights_persons_disabilities_law
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