Disabled people with and without wheelchairs: The dramatic step that will separate parking spaces

December 25, 2023   

The Ministry of Transportation announced today (Monday) that it will immediately advance the update of the signs that will separate parking spaces for the disabled - between vehicles with a wheelchair lift and vehicles without a lift. The decision came after a meeting held at the ministry with representatives of disabled organizations in Israel, where the problem was raised, which they defined as urgent, since the current situation does not distinguish between the two types of disabled people. The meeting was held within the framework of the policy of Minister of Transportation Miri Regev, who placed concern for people with disabilities at the top of the ministry's priority list. The meeting was defined as a kick-off meeting for a joint examination of the steps required to upgrade and reduce gaps in accessibility issues in Israel. The most urgent issue that came up at the meeting was the occupation of designated parking spaces for vehicles with a wheelchair lift by a vehicle with a 'regular' disabled badge, since the current situation does not clearly distinguish, as stated, between the two types of disabled people. The Director General of the Ministry of Transportation, Moshe Ben Zaken, ordered the immediate promotion of the update of the traffic signs so that they only allow parking for vehicles transporting disabled people in wheelchairs. Ben Zaken ordered that the change be accompanied by information measures for those with a disability badge and the general public, and in coordination with the police and local authorities. Another issue discussed was the shortage of accessible taxis for the disabled, and incidents of price gouging in these taxis. Director General Ben Zaken ordered that supervision of accessible taxis be tightened and that they meet the requirements of the Ministry of Transportation. At the same time, he initiated the construction of an improved outline that will address the problems and gaps that exist in the current outline, in cooperation with disabled people's organizations. Ben Zaken informed the representatives of the disabled that he had instructed his office staff to establish a working team with the aim of examining and refreshing procedures and simplifying processes with the disabled public, which will present its conclusions in the near future. He also directed the Director of the Licensing Division to hold a roundtable meeting with disabled people's organizations, with the aim of establishing a new mechanism and formulating an outline that will shorten the timelines and improve the current situation. In addition, he ordered that a permanent representative be invited to all discussions at the Ministry of Transportation concerning public transportation, in order to make the voice of the disabled heard and ensure that the issue of accessibility is given due consideration. The Director General of the Ministry of Transportation has ordered the professional bodies in the ministry to present within 90 days a multi-year plan for making transportation by sea, air and land fully accessible to people with disabilities. Director General of the Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety Moshe Ben Zaken: "The Ministry of Transportation and Road Safety is doing and will do everything in its power to improve accessibility in public transportation. Under the guidance of the Minister of Transportation, we are constantly working to reduce gaps and accelerate the issue of accessibility. I thank the organizations of the disabled who constantly remind us to act in favor of the issue, you deserve this by right and not by grace. Unfortunately, during the war, many civilians and soldiers joined the circle of the disabled and we are committed to assisting them in every way." Yuval Wagner, Chairman and Founder of the Israel Accessibility Association: "I thank the Director General of the Ministry for putting accessibility at the top of the priority list, for the willingness and the useful meeting, for the decisions to integrate people with disabilities in the improvement processes and for significant results, which will significantly improve our lives in the immediate term." Alex Friedman, Founder and Chairman of the 'Disabled Not Half a Human' Organization: "On the right track, in good and accessible ways. I thank the Director General of the Ministry of Transportation Moshe Ben Zaken, the management team, Yuval Wagner's partners and of course Sarah Miri Regev. It is not at all obvious that the meeting took place these days, especially with such practical news and such a positive vision. Accessibility is a fundamental thing and concerns people with disabilities, senior citizens, parents of children, and in fact each and every one of us. We hope and expect continued fruitful cooperation and further good news.".