Project to Promote Accessibility for People with Intellectual Disability
Research Institute for the Health and Medical Professions at Ono Academic College Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), Syracuse University, USA
Accessibility, which is the possibility of using all parts of a building or service, is the key to equal opportunity and real inclusion and participation in society. In 2005 the first Israeli accessibility law was legislated to guarantee people with disabilities the right to accessibility to buildings and services, in a manner that is equal, respectful, independent and safe. However, though to many of us it is clear how we must act to ensure accessibility for people with physical or sensory disabilities (change steps to ramps, eliminate obstacles, supply amplifying equipment, etc.), it is not clear what adjustments must be made to ensure accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities.
In 2010 the Research Institute for the Health and Medical Professions at Ono Academic College was selected, together with the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI): Centers of Innovation on Disability at Syracuse University, New York, to develop the field of accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities for the Israel Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, Division of Services for People with Mental Retardation.
The goal of this applied research, led by Dr. Shira Yalon-Chamovitz from the Research Institute for the Health and Medical Professions at Ono Academic College, was to benchmark the current situation in Israel regarding accessibility of people with intellectual disabilities, to survey the existing knowledge in Israel and around the world, to validate a guiding model of accessibility for this population, and develop applied tools to promote accessibility for people with intellectual disability in Israel.
The research was carried out by means of focus groups, in-depth interviews and on-line questionnaires filled out by people with intellectual disability, family members of people with intellectual disabilities, professionals, service providers, policy decision makers and others. The information gathered was used to validate the conceptual model of accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities (Yalon-Chamovitz, 2009) and as a basis for consolidating recommendations for accommodations and applied courses of action to promote accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of life.
An initial analysis of the findings shows that the most meaningful areas of development for people with intellectual disabilities are public transportation, health services and education. Additional areas that were found to be significant, though less so, are emergency services, public services such as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, and the National Insurance Institute as well as leisure services and community centers.
In the conference held on Dec. 20, 2011, sponsored by Mr. Nahum Itzkovitz, Director General, Israel Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, a wide range of topics pertaining to accessibility for people with intellectual disabilities was presented to over 300 participants. Issues presented included for example: a description of the accessibility legislation in Israel, a contemporary model for inclusive design, as well as the results of the research and guidelines for accessibility for people with intellectual disability. At the conclusion of the conference a guidebook was launched, the first of its kind, for language accessibility for people with intellectual disability. This guidebook was developed in the framework of the applied research project. This guidebook is expected to lead to broad-ranging change in accessibility of information in particular and of the public sphere in general – change that will affect not only people with intellectual disabilities but also anyone who has difficulty, for various reasons (age, learning disabilities, immigration) effectively coping in this era of information in which we live.
