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Country Profile

Israel

6.3 out of 10

Right to decide and right to vote

Legal capacity can be partially removed, but it does not limit the right to vote or to stand for elections. There are limited measures to make voting accessible in practice.

6.7

Right to live independently and to be included in the community

Most people with intellectual disabilities live in large institutions. Some live in smaller institutions and some live in small care homes.

6.2

Housing and support

Most adults with intellectual disabilities live with their family. Some live in their own place. Disability benefits go directly to the person with an intellectual disability. There is a mechanism to assess quality of services, but it is insufficient.

5.7

Education

Most children with intellectual disabilities go to special schools, many go to mainstream schools. There is a national strategy towards inclusive education.

7.2

Employment

Some people with intellectual disabilities have a job on the open labour market. Many are in ‘protected employment’, many attend daycare and many stay at home. People risk losing their disability benefits when they have a paid job. ‘Protected employment’ does not pay minimum wage. Some measures to make jobs accessible.

4.5

Healthcare

Most people with intellectual disabilities have access to general healthcare. Some have access to the dentist, and some have access to women’s health. There is freedom of choice in reproductive health. People with intellectual disabilities cannot be forcibly sterilised.

6

Representation

People with intellectual disabilities are represented in the national cross-disability organisation, and there is a person with an intellectual disability on the board/council. AKIM Israel receives government funding for advocacy work.

7.8

How does Israel compare to the European average?

Israel European average

Right to decide and right to vote
6.7
Right to live independently and to be included in the community
6.2
Housing and support
5.7
Education
7.2
Employment
4.5
Healthcare
6
Representation
7.8

Many adults with intellectual disabilities still live in large institutional settings due to a shortage of affordable, accessible community housing options that offer the right level of support. Demand for supported housing and services often exceeds supply, leading to long waiting times for placement in suitable living arrangements. Even when housing is available, support services such as personal assistance, day programs, and healthcare can be insufficient, inconsistent, or poorly coordinated.

Reported numbers of people with intellectual disabilities in
Mainstream education 80,000
Special education 20,000
No education *
Larger institutions 3,000
Smaller institutions 600
Small care homes 550
Psychiatric hospitals 20

These are the reported or estimated numbers of the country. In most cases, in reality, the numbers will be higher as the data is underreported or missing entirely.