Special education is a service and not a place, and therefore with the entry of the child into the education system and if his eligibility for special education services is determined, the parents can choose the framework in which he will receive these services (the "personal basket" determined for the child).
At the age of 3, the child's parents are invited to an eligibility and characterization committee in the local authority with the participation of the parents and a representative of parental organizations. The committee consists of a representative of the Ministry of Education (chairman of the committee) from the field of special education, a representative of the local authority, a general supervisor for special education or his representative, a general supervisor for regular education or his representative, Shepach, a representative of parents and the parents themselves.
In addition, additional representatives are invited, among them an expert in the field of vision from the Tama). This committee determines the student's eligibility for special education services, his disability characterization and level of functioning. In addition, the committee determines the scope of the service basket for 3 years or until moving to first grade or until a new committee is established in a period less than 3 years (for example, in a situation in which there is a worsening of vision). The services basket includes support for teaching hours (e.g. teacher supporting vision, integration teacher), support for treatment hours (e.g. occupational therapy, speech therapist, etc.) and aide support.
The parents will be summoned to the committee no later than 14 days before the date of its convening and will receive any document that is in the committee's hands and may be used in the discussion and decision-making no later than 14 days before the committee hearing. The minutes of the committee will be provided to the parents, in full, no later than 14 days after the end of the hearing or the date on which the committee's decision was given to the parents – whichever is earlier.
After determining eligibility for special education services, parents will choose the type of educational framework in which their child will teach: a regular kindergarten/classroom in a regular educational institution, a special education class in a regular educational institution, or a kindergarten/special education school. The parents will announce their decision to the committee within 14 days of learning of the committee's determination. The parents' notice will be done through a form to register the type of educational framework.
Please note that eligibility is for choosing the type of framework (regular/special education) and not for choosing the educational institution itself.
You, as parents, have the right to submit an appeal against the decision of the Eligibility and Characterization Committee to the Attainment Committee. The committee has the authority to accept the attainment and change the decision of the Eligibility and Characterization Committee, return to another hearing of the Eligibility and Characterization Committee, or postpone the attainment.
After the parents choose the type of framework and the decision of the local authority on the institution in which the child will be taught, there will be a discussion of a multi-vocational team in the educational institution, with the participation of the parents. The team has the authority to determine the composition of the basket of services in the fields of teaching, care and assistance for integrated children in regular education (segmentation of support). The team will also determine the student's personal program (TSA) and can add, if necessary, hours from the integration and containment basket available to the educational institution.
Please note that the scope of the service basket will not change, as long as there is no eligibility and characterization committee, the way the support is distributed will be examined annually in the multi-professional staff.
The decision of the multi-professional staff committee can also be submitted attainment
For detailed information on student rights to special education services: Ofek for our children – Rights in Education
Individual accessibility
The regulations for individual accessibility to the student and the parent regulate the instructions for making accessibility adjustments for students with disabilities, and include instructions for submitting the request to make adjustments by the parents, approving the request, contacting the Supervisor of the Ministry of Education, and filing an appeal.
The regulations include a breakdown of all the accessibility adjustments required for a student studying in the education system, in the physical, pedagogical field (including assistive technology), trips and activities.
Parents must submit an application form for adjustments and attach vision tests and a recommendation from a field of vision specialist from the district's specialized tama. The responsibility for the parents' advisory of this right, as well as the making of the adjustments, after their approval, is that of the local authority/ownership of the educational institution, the responsibility for submitting the request is on the parent.
The body that oversees the implementation of the regulations is the Equal Rights Commission for People with Disabilities.
Learn more about individual access to the education system: Ofek for our children – Rights in Education
Pro-vision teacher
Teachers from the National Supervision of Education of students with blindness or visual impairment, who have been trained to accompany and make the environment and learning content accessible for students with blindness or visual impairment, in order to help integrate them into the classroom and society.
Children aged 3 and over with blindness or visual impairment are entitled to this.
The supporting teachers teach the students individually or in small groups, in the educational institution where the students are studying or within reinforcement hours. In addition, the supporting teachers provide counseling to the educational and treatment staff in kindergarten/school and to the parents of the students on issues related to their studies.
For more information, please contact the National Supervision of Education for Blind and Visually Impaired Students:
visually_impairment@education.gov.il
For more information on rights and special education services for students with visual disabilities:
Ministry of Education Parental Portal: https://katzr.net/e5c25d
Information on the rights of students with visual impairment or blindness: https://katzr.net/c9c1b9
For detailed information on student rights to special education services: Ofek for our children – Rights in Education
