The challenges in making public spaces in Israel accessible to people with disabilities

In the modern urban space, accessibility is a basic right for every person. However, many Israeli residents who deal with mobility disabilities encounter daily challenges when trying to navigate public spaces.

How is the State of Israel dealing with the complex challenge of making public space accessible, and what more needs to be done?

The National Challenge: Accessibility in Public Spaces in Israel

In 2022, a report by the Commission for Equal Rights for People with Disabilities revealed that only 471% of public spaces in Israel are fully accessible to people with disabilities. This is a significant improvement over the previous decade, but still far from the goal of full accessibility.

"The situation is gradually improving," explains Dr. Yossi Manor, an expert in accessible urban planning, "but the pace is too slow. While new buildings are being built in accordance with accessibility regulations, upgrading existing infrastructure is progressing in small steps."

The legal framework in Israel

The Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities Law, 1998, clearly establishes the right of persons with disabilities to full accessibility to public spaces. The regulations established under it specify the technical requirements for accessibility:

• Public buildings
• Roads and sidewalks
• Gardens and parks
• Public transportation
• Entertainment and leisure places

However, there is a significant gap between advanced legislation and its implementation on the ground. The reasons for this are varied – budgetary constraints, lack of awareness, and the technical complexity of making old infrastructure accessible.

Common problems in Israeli urban spaces

1. Israeli Sidewalks – Obstacle Course

Rachel Cohen, 75, from Tel Aviv, commutes by Amirim vehicles And describes her daily experience: "Sometimes leaving the house feels like an impossible task. Poles in the middle of the sidewalk, illegal parking, narrow sidewalks – these are the things that limit my freedom."

The most common problems on Israeli sidewalks include:

• Insufficient width – Many sidewalks are narrower than necessary (minimum 130 cm)
• Obstacles – Pillars, bus stops, signs and other facilities that block passage
• Poor maintenance – Potholes, cracks, and sinkholes that make safe passage difficult
• Problematic slopes – Side slopes that are too steep make it difficult to move around with assistive devices

2. The gap between the center and the periphery

A study by the Israel Accessibility Research Institute (2023) indicates a significant gap between the level of accessibility in large cities and peripheral communities. While in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Kfar Saba over 60% of public spaces are accessible, in peripheral communities the number drops to only 35%.

“Geographical gaps in accessibility deepen inequality,” says Prof. Michal Alon, a human rights researcher at Ben-Gurion University. “A person with a disability living in the periphery experiences double limitations – both geographical and those resulting from their disability.”

3. Public transportation – a challenging journey

Public transportation in Israel has undergone significant improvements in accessibility over the past decade, but challenges still exist:

• Only 78% of the city buses are fully accessible
• 65% of the train stations are fully accessible (as of 2023)
• Lack of accessible bus stops in the periphery
• Long wait times for accessible rides on certain service lines

"When you don't have the option of using public transportation, you are dependent on others or on private means of transportation," explains David Levy, 68, from Beersheba. "This greatly limits independence and also economic capacity."

Technological solutions and innovative initiatives

Despite the challenges, there are encouraging developments in the field of accessibility in public spaces:

Apps and technology

Several Israeli technology initiatives are trying to improve the situation:

1. "Accessible" – An Israeli app that provides real-time information about accessible routes in cities
2. "Ramp" – A community platform that allows you to report accessibility obstacles and receive alternative routes
3. Sensors IoT – Smart systems installed at traffic lights that extend crossing time when a person with mobility aids is detected

Successful urban initiatives

Several cities in Israel have become role models in the field of accessibility:

• Raanana – An "Accessible City" project that includes upgrading all sidewalks, lowering the curb at every crosswalk, and training programs for service providers.
• Ashdod – Establishing an urban forum with the participation of people with disabilities involved in urban spatial planning
• Jerusalem – Establishing a municipal accessibility information center that provides accurate information on accessible routes throughout the city

Daily Challenges: The Users' Perspective

Conversations with people who use assistive mobility devices present a complex picture of life in the Israeli city:

"The biggest problem is the inconsistency," explains Miriam Cohen, 72, of Haifa. "You can leave the house and find a great accessible sidewalk, but then get stuck in a crosswalk without a drop-off, or in illegal parking blocking the sidewalk."

"Sometimes I feel like whoever plans the urban space has never tried to get around in a wheelchair or scooter," adds Avi Levy, 65, from Netanya. "Solutions that look good on paper don't always work on the ground."

Personal solutions: How do you cope?

In the absence of a complete systemic solution, many find personal solutions:

• Advanced mobility devices – Scooters with improved suspension and large wheels capable of handling obstacles
• Alternative routes – Planning routes in advance using dedicated applications or accumulated personal knowledge
• Support communities – Facebook groups and internet forums where information about accessible areas is shared

"I was forced to invest in an improved scooter that can handle the problematic road conditions," says Yaakov Cohen, 75, of Ramat Gan. "It's a significant financial expense, but it's necessary for my independence."

Looking at other countries: What can we learn?

International comparison shows gaps, but also opportunities:

"We don't need to reinvent the wheel," argues Dr. Manor. "There are successful models in the world that can be adopted and adapted to Israel's unique conditions."

Call to action: the way to improve the situation

Experts suggest several concrete steps to improve accessibility in public spaces:

1. Increasing accessibility budgets – Allocation of dedicated resources to upgrade existing infrastructure
2. User participation in planning – Establishing forums in each local authority with the participation of people with disabilities
3. Increased enforcement – Focusing on enforcement of illegal parking and sidewalk obstructions
4. Public information – Raising awareness of the importance of maintaining accessible space
5. Business incentives – Tax benefits and economic incentives for businesses that upgrade accessibility

Summary: The road to the city is accessible to everyone

Making urban space accessible in Israel is a complex, but necessary task. It is not just about technical adjustments, but a change in perception – public space belongs to everyone, and every person has the right to move around it safely and independently.

Significant progress has been made in recent years, but there is still a long way to go. A combination of legislation, budgeting, enforcement, and technological innovation can lead to a dramatic improvement in the accessibility situation in Israel.

For people like Rachel, Miriam, and Jacob, such a change is not just a matter of convenience – it is an opportunity for an independent, dignified, and fulfilling life. It is a basic right that every citizen deserves, and a social challenge that Israel must successfully address.