Israel Extends Special Transportation Rights to Students with Physical Disabilities
Israel's ministries agreed to extend special transportation arrangements for afternoon clubs to students with physical disabilities following a Supreme Court petition.
The State of Israel is changing its policy regarding transportation arrangements for students with physical disabilities, following an appeal to the Supreme Court. The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, and the Ministry of Finance announced an agreement to apply the same transportation framework previously reserved for students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities to children with physical disabilities as well.
In practice, the policy change will allow children with physical disabilities who are eligible for welfare ministry afternoon clubs to receive additional transportation when necessary. This applies, for example, when the club does not operate at the school or when dismissal hours differ from those of other students. The state clarified that the Ministry of Education will participate in funding these rides according to its regulations, covering up to two trips per student daily.
The petition was filed in June after a similar arrangement had already been established years ago for students with intellectual disabilities, leaving out those with physical impairments. For many families, this created significant obstacles in accessing afternoon rehabilitative and social frameworks.
Advocates welcomed the decision. Attorney Rovital Lan Cohen of the Parents Coalition called it a life-changing move for thousands of students with motor disabilities, though she criticized the state for acting only under legal pressure. She noted that the struggle will continue for students with disabilities integrated into mainstream education who are not yet covered by the new arrangement.
