Disabilities Administration

The Disabilities Administration at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs is responsible for providing services to individuals with disabilities, both in the community and in residential settings. Its primary goal is to promote and enhance the quality of life and overall well-being of people with disabilities, enabling them to lead meaningful and autonomous lives to the fullest extent possible, in accordance with their choices and preferences.

Services are delivered through municipal social service departments, as well as through public and private service providers.

Target Populations

Children and adults with disabilities and their family members, as defined in the Welfare Services for People with Disabilities Law (2022) and its associated regulations, including individuals with:

• Autism
• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Cognitive-Neuropsychological Disabilities
• Motor Disabilities
• Visual Disabilities
• Hearing Disabilities
• Developmental Delays

Main Units

• Senior Division for Community Services
• Senior Division for Assessment, Recognition, and Programs
• Senior Division for Residential Frameworks
• Senior Division for Implementation of Disability Law
• Planning and Budgeting Unit

Core Values

• Tailoring services to the abilities, needs, and wishes of each individual with a disability, ensuring their right to an independent, fulfilling life, while considering their environment and community.
• Recognizing the individual with a disability as a key partner, alongside their family, in selecting the services that promote independence and quality of life.
• Valuing and advancing the human resources — professionals and caregivers — through professional training and development.
• Promoting innovation and creativity, integrating cutting-edge technologies and professional advancements alongside investments in staff training.

Vision

To promote and improve the quality of life and well-being of people with disabilities by developing a continuum of community and residential services that support individuals in living meaningful, fulfilling lives and participating actively in society, with maximum autonomy.

The Administration operates under the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us”, engaging individuals with disabilities and their families in service development processes. It continues to develop new services and programs in both community and residential settings, as part of implementing the Welfare Services for People with Disabilities Law (2022) and in alignment with the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), to which Israel is a signatory.

The Administration's operations are guided by the CRPD’s recognition that "disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others."

All actions of the Administration aim to remove these barriers, in full partnership with families and individuals with disabilities, with the overarching purpose of improving their quality of life and well-being.

Administration Services and Responsibilities

Senior Division for Community Services

Developing housing models for individuals with medium to high levels of independent functioning, promoting their integration into the community and their living environment according to their preferences, needs, and abilities.

Areas of Activity:

• Community transition and integration
• Development of community-based housing services

Senior Division for Assessment, Recognition, and Programs

Developing professional standards and programs applicable across all residential frameworks under the Disabilities Administration.

Areas of Activity:

• Placement coordination for all housing services
• Social work
• Education, leisure, and cultural activities

Senior Division for Residential Frameworks

Developing housing models for individuals requiring high levels of support and protection, offering a safe, respectful, and quality living environment tailored to their needs, abilities, and preferences.

Areas of Activity:

• Residential care facilities
• Emergency, safety, and accessibility
• Daytime activities and employment

Senior Division for Implementation of Disability Law

In June 2022, the Welfare Services for People with Disabilities Law was passed by the Israeli Knesset. This groundbreaking legislation establishes the rights of people with disabilities for the first time in Israeli law, based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The law was drafted in collaboration with professionals from the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, academics, individuals with disabilities, their family members, civil society organizations, and the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee.

The Ministry is currently leading a public consultation process to develop the law’s accompanying regulations, defining the package of services and supports to which eligible individuals are entitled. This inclusive process invites input from professionals, organizations, and private citizens, enhancing the formulation of regulations that promote, among other goals, the transition to community living.

The law came into effect in January 2024, with implementation planned over a five-year period. The Ministry is actively working to finalize and define the package of services to be provided under these regulations.

The Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs of the State of Israel invites international counterparts and organizations to engage in dialogue, exchange knowledge, and explore collaboration. Together, we can advance best practices, innovative models, and policies that improve the lives of welfare populations around the world.