The Netanya Magistrate's Court awarded compensation of more than 43,000 NIS to a disabled student from Kalanswa.
The student, who uses a wheelchair, attended the city's Science High School. Since the municipality did not install an elevator in the building, the student was prevented from participating in the laboratory classes that took place on the third floor of the school.
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As a result, the student was forced to study the material alone, without taking part in the practical lessons with her classmates.
The Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities at the Ministry of Justice contacted the municipality several times demanding that accessibility be regulated, and even sent warning letters. When it was not responded to, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the student.
The court accepted the commission's arguments and ruled that the municipality violated its legal obligation to make the school accessible, and ordered it to pay compensation of over 43,000 NIS.
The Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities at the Ministry of Justice stated: "Accessibility is a right, not a favor. It is a basic legal obligation imposed on every public body. The Commission will act decisively and take all legal enforcement measures at its disposal against those who violate this obligation.".
The Commission for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities operates under the Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the State of Israel is a signatory.
There are currently about 1.7 million people with disabilities living in Israel, representing about 181% of the population. Of these, about 100,000 have been added since the beginning of the "Iron Swords" War.
