Background

Around the world, there is growing recognition of the rights of people with disabilities to participate fully in society. It has been about 20 years since the Equal Rights for People with Disabilities Law and the Law on the Integration of Children with Disabilities into the Education System were passed in Israel. While progress has been made, people with disabilities continue to face significant attitudinal and physical barriers to full participation. The lack of opportunities for people with disabilities to work as educators denies them their human rights. It deprives students of new ways of learning, different perspectives, and important role models.

With our mission of shaping an ever-fairer society through education, Merchavim is committed to ensuring that qualified and talented Israeli teachers of all backgrounds are integrated in Israeli schools in all four school streams and at all levels.

Collaboration with the Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to increasing the number of teachers with disabilities in teaching positions. The program promotes the integration of teachers with disabilities and offers limited support in the field.

The MOE and Merchavim work collaboratively to increase the placement of teachers with disabilities in Israeli schools and to provide individualized support to teachers and school principals to ensure success. Merchavim supports the recruitment, matching of teachers to schools, pre- and in-service support for the newly integrated teachers, works to increase teacher retention, evaluates the program, provides guidance for principals and faculty, and develops best practices methodology.