BEINEINU NEWS AND NOTES

December 1, 2016

USA

Hospitals and Disabilities--Disability Rights Advocates is investigating access barriers and staff that fails to accommodate a patient’s disability in Manhattan and Bronx hospitals. They would like public comment on inaccessibility experiences in regard to restrooms, exam rooms, equipment, waiting rooms and elevators. They would also like feedback about any lack of American Sign Language interpreters, Braille, large print or other accessible formats. Call Christina Brandt-Young, 212-644-8644.

ADA Website adds Assistive Technology Section---The Department of Justice has launched a new accessible technology section on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website to assist covered entities and people with disabilities in understanding how the ADA applies to technologies such as websites, electronic book readers, online courses and point-of-sale devices. It also includes the department’s enforcement efforts, regulation development, federal AT resources and initiatives. Covered entities have longstanding obligations to make their programs, goods, services and activities accessible to all. Visit www.ada.gov/accesstechnology/index.html.

Voting Difficulties---Disability Rights Advocates is seeking voters with disabilities who have had difficulties voting at their polling site, especially sites located in New York City public schools. Contact Christina Brandt-Young at

212-644-8644 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Social skills Program---Ohel will be sponsoring a free 15 week social skills program for young adults ages 15 and up with autism. Sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 5:1507:30 pm. For more information contact Joshua Fried at 347-782-2693 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ISRAEL

Kotel Wheelchair Accessibility---The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has made wheelchairs available to serve those who need them at their visit to the Western Wall (Kotel), allowing for greater accessibility in this holy site. The wheelchairs are located in the booth by the cars’ entrance gates. Users can take them from there and then return them upon conclusion of their visit, with no need to make advance arrangements.

Research Study---Research is being done on families in which one of the parents has a physical (motor, visual or auditory) disability. The study’s goal is to understand the subjective experience of all family members.  The research findings will allow for the suggestion of services that will offer a response to these families’ needs. They are looking for families in which:

• One of the parents has a physical disability (motor, visual or auditory)  - the parent’s disability must be either from birth or from early childhood (up to age 18)
• Another main caregiver such as a second parent
• One of the children is an adult with no disability (preferably over age 25) who has lived at least up until age 18 in the parents’ home.

Each of the three above family members will participate in a live interview that will take approximately 2 hours and take place in a predetermined time and place. After the interview, participants will be asked to fill out a number of questionnaires by phone, email, or personal interview. Each of the three individual participants in the family will receive 200 ILS. For more information contact Livnat Konopeni Daklev at 052-644-2747 at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or researcher Dr. Karmit-Noa Spiegelman at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Social Skills Group Forming In Rishon Letzion--- A group of parents of a child with social difficulties are interested in creating a new social-skills group for children ages 9-12 with similar difficulties. The group will take place once or twice a week in the afternoon hours. For more information contact Yifat: 052-233-5827.

Mytonic Dystrophy support Group---A support group is forming in Jerusalem for families dealing with Mytonic Dystrophy – a progressive genetic disorder affecting the muscles. Come hear about some initial activity relating to Myotonic Dystrophy, suggest and examine ways to get together to raise awareness, promote research and more, with the goal of finding a cure for this disease and improving the quality of life for all of us. Contact Avi – 050-623-3197 or Nava – 050-620-4328, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.