Israel has more than 1.5 million people with disabilities, about 17% of the population. A survey conducted by the Joint Organization and Access Israel reveals that 36% of them are unable to reach sheltered areas during air raid sirens. “This is a problem that must be solved. Many people with disabilities simply sit and pray when there’s an alarm,” says Shachar Zahavi, a wheelchair user.
Since the start of the war, around 100,000 Israelis have joined the population of people with disabilities, which now totals about 1.7 million, according to data from the Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities published today (Tuesday) in recognition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This past year has been particularly challenging for this group, as their disabilities often prevent them from reaching protected areas—36% have no access to shelters during alarms, according to a survey by “Joint-Israel Beyond Disabilities” and “Access Israel.”
“This is a big problem. Most bomb shelters have a small step at the entrance, the portable shelters have a relatively large step, and public shelters are often only ‘technically accessible’ but not really,” says Shachar Zahavi, a chronic patient and wheelchair user, to N12. “The lack of accessibility is dangerous. Sometimes it’s better to lie on the floor than try to reach a shelter. Many people with disabilities simply sit and pray during an alarm.”
Shachar talks about the difficult feelings this situation causes: “It’s living in fear that others don’t understand. My friends with disabilities often feel extremely helpless. Everyone is scared because of the war, but as a person with disabilities, it’s much harder. This is a problem that must be solved.” Shachar adds that she and other people with disabilities sometimes avoid everyday activities for fear of being stuck without access to a shelter.
A Serious Accessibility Issue
A report by the State Comptroller, published last summer, paints a grim picture regarding the accessibility of public buildings in Israel. According to the report, 60% of public buildings are not accessible, and only 8% of local authorities fully comply with legal accessibility requirements.
“Rebuilding the north and south cannot proceed without fully addressing accessibility. The data we have points to a historic opportunity to create an inclusive and appropriate infrastructure for people with disabilities,” says Efrat Stern, director of Joint-Israel Beyond Disabilities. “This is a shift in perception. When we plan reconstruction, we are essentially creating an opportunity to build a more equal environment that allows full participation for all.”
Due to the ongoing war, 100,000 more Israelis have been recognized as people with disabilities, including 12,000 injured security personnel (a 20% increase since before the war) and about 70,000 victims of terrorism (a 700% increase since before the war). In total, approximately 17% of Israel’s citizens have some form of disability.
Another challenge is integrating people with disabilities into public institutions. According to the commission’s data, 27% of public bodies do not meet the employment target for hiring people with disabilities. The proportion of people with disabilities in Israel’s public service is much lower than their share of the population, according to a UN disability report published two weeks ago.
Yuval Wagner, chairman of the “Access Israel” association, was injured during a training flight in 1987 and was left paralyzed from the neck down. “When I was injured, there was no accessibility in any dimension, in any field. As of the end of 2024, accessibility in Israel is much better. You can say the glass is half full, with many achievements, but on the other hand, the empty half requires promoting accessibility in many areas.
