Public buildings to have handicap access
Justice minister signs regulations ensuring rights for people with disabilities in all existing public buildings
The regulations, which deal with making all of Israel's existing public buildings handicap-accessible, will take effect within six months from their publications.
Many buildings – from government and municipal offices to entertainment services – are not accessible to people with disabilities. Some of these buildings even lack basic accessibility adjustments, like access paths without stairs, elevators, lavatories fit for a handicap person and signs for visually impaired people.
The regulations set a gradual timeframe for completing the buildings' accessibility. The private sector will be required to do so by the end of 2015, local authorities – by the end of 2021, and all other public authorities – by the end of 2018.
"This is a day of celebration for people with disabilities," said Ahiya Kamara, head of the Commission for Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities.
Today we start the countdown to the day when all public buildings in Israel will be handicap-accessible, and these people will no longer be banned from the public sphere."
"The public building's accessibility regulations are very important," said Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman. "It's the Israeli society's duty."
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