Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (Israel) – Simplified Explanation
Overview
The Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act is an Israeli law that ensures people with disabilities have the same opportunities and access as everyone else. The law prohibits discrimination and requires businesses, public services, and government offices to make reasonable accommodations so that people with disabilities can fully participate in society.
Key Provisions
1. Non-Discrimination
- It is illegal to discriminate against a person because of their disability in areas like employment, education, healthcare, and public services.
2. Accessibility Requirements
- Public places (such as restaurants, shops, and government buildings) must be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes ramps, elevators, braille signs, and accessible restrooms.
- Websites and digital services must also be designed so that people with disabilities can use them (e.g., screen reader compatibility).
3. Reasonable Accommodations
- Employers and service providers must make necessary changes to help a person with a disability, as long as it doesn’t cause undue hardship.
- Examples include flexible work hours, assistive technologies, or modified workspaces.
4. Rights in Education & Employment
- Schools and universities must provide support for students with disabilities.
- Employers cannot refuse to hire someone just because of their disability if they are qualified for the job.
5. Public Transportation Accessibility
- Buses, trains, and other transport services must be usable by people with disabilities (e.g., wheelchair ramps, audio announcements).
Important Dates
- The law was first passed in 1998 and has been updated over time to include stronger protections.
- Some accessibility requirements had phased deadlines, but many are already in effect.
Based on the Official Document
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