| Accreditation to: |
Conference of States Parties
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| Affiliation with other organizations: |
- Israeli Government Ministries: Health, Welfare, Education; National Insurance Institution, Keren Shalem, Ra'anana Municipality, many other local municipalities, The Israel Association of Community Centers; JDC; many local authorities; - Universities in Israel: Tel Aviv, Haifa, Tel Chai, Bar Ilan, and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem; Beit Berl, Levinsky Colleges, Wingate Institute, Bayit Vagan College; - Hospitals: Schneider Children’s Medical Center, Sha'arei Zedek, Naharia, Ziv; - Non-profits: Elwyn, Shekel, Akim, Kesher in Israel and in Miami, Za'ad Kadima, CF Association, Achva, Ohel Sara, Center for the Deaf & Blind, Alei Siach, and many more. - Global partnerships: LA Children's Hospital, University of Southern California, University of Toronto, Temple University in New York, University of Pretoria in South Africa, JCC Miami, CAMH Hospital in Toronto, World Wide Snoezelen Association, Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Southwark Children's Development Centre in London, and more. - In addition: Professional Advisory Committees in several countries comprising top international experts. |
| Publications: |
We have published over 60 articles in National and International journals - for example: 2011 •Book written by Beit Issie Shapiro titled From Inclusion towards Full Participation, eds. M. Chovav, B. Hozmi (2011), Rotem: Givataim. 2010 •D. Asher, M. Shapiro, D. Roth, M. Hadar-Frumer, "A Comparative Study of Hydrotherapy Treatment for Infants with Developmental Disabilities in a Pool with Sensory Adaptation vs. a Typical Pool: Case Studies", Israeli Journal of Occupational Therapy, Vol. 19, No. 1, February 2010. 2009 •B. Hozmi, D. Roth, Special University students/alumni, "The Relationship between Social Acceptance and One's Personal Characteristics," Sachish – Issues in Special Education and Integration, V. 24 1. •D. Roth, "Participatory Action Research: people with learning disabilities, functioning and adjustment difficulties as researchers," Sachish – Issues in Special Education and Integration, Vol. 24 1. •B. Hozmi, "Academic Accessibility for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Adjustment Disorders," Sachish – Issues in Special Education and Integration, Vol. 24 1. •D. Roth & A. Rimmerman, "Perceptions of middle class mothers of their children with special needs participating in mother and sport program," International Journal of Research Rehabilitation (In Press). •M. Shapiro, H. Sgan-Cohen, S. Parush, R. Melamed, "Influence of adapted environment on the anxiety of medically treated children with developmental disability," Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 154, ( 4), pp 546-550. •M. Shapiro, R. Melmed, H. Sgan-Cohen, S. Parush, "Effect of Sensory Adaptation on Anxiety of Children with Developmental Disability- A New Approach," Pediatric Dentistry, May-Jun '09. 2008 •R. Cohen, D. Roth, A. York, "Youth Leadership for Changes in Attitudes towards People with Disabilities: Changes in Attitudes and Self Confidence," Social Security, Oct. 2008, Is. 78. •E. Karni, K. Kedem, "Sensation and Experience in Early Age, a Selection of Inclusive Activities" (booklet), The Israel Association of Community Centers. •E. Vashdi, Y. Hutzler, D. Roth, "Compliance of children with moderate to severe intellectual disability to treadmill walking: a pilot study," Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Vol. 52, part 5 pp. 371-379. 2007 •I. Weigenfeld-Lahav, M. Hadar-Frumer, D. Roth, S. Hozler, "Physical and Psychological Effects of Aquatic Therapy in Participants after Hip-Joint Replacement: A Pilot Study," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. •B. Isaacs, I. Brown, R.I. Brow, N. Baum, T. Myerscough, S. Neikrug, D. Roth, J. Shearer, & M. Wang, "The international family Quality of life project goals & description of a survey tool," The Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, September 2007. •M. Shapiro, "Behavioural and Physiological effect of dental environment sensory adaptation on children's dental anxiety," European Journal of Oral Science. •D. Roth, M. Shapiro, "Adapting the Environment for Children with Mental Disabilities, Accessibility of Israeli Society to People with Disabilities at the beginning of the 21st Century," (pp. 883-906), The Commission for Equal Rights for People with Disabilities, Ministry of Justice. 2006 •Book written by Beit Issie Shapiro titled From Segregation to Integration: facing disabilities in the community, eds. M. Chovav, P. Gittelman (2006), Carmel: Jerusalem. •D. Asher, D. Roth, M. Hadar-Frummer (2005), "The Effect of Structured Water Activity on Motor Ability, Parental Attitudes, Self-Concept and Adaptation in Kindergarten Age Children," Aquatic Physical Therapy, June 2006. |
| Purpose of the organization: |
1.To develop and operate innovative services for disabled children and adults, as well as their families; 2.To influence policy and legislation, as well as strive toward change in the community by means of education, raising awareness and advocacy; 3.To initiate research studies, disseminate knowledge and provide training to the professional community, in Israel and abroad, as well as to people with disabilities and their families. |
| Activities relevant to the conference of States Parties to the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: |
"Inclusion of persons with disabilities" - theme of the 3rd session of the conference: Beit Issie Shapiro's commitment to integration arises from an ethic that asserts the basic right of children with special needs and their families to be an integral part of the community to which they belong. •Since its establishment, Beit Issie Shapiro has developed and operated a range of integration programs. The most recent and innovative of these programs is the Home Community Integration Program, which exposes the children and the families to the community in which they live, creating many opportunities for new social ties and enhanced sense of belonging to the community. •In 2006, Beit Issie Shapiro opened Israel's first physically and socially accessible playground for children with disabilities. Since the organization's ultimate vision is that all children with disabilities in Israel can enjoy fully accessible playgrounds, it launched an initiative – in collaboration with government agencies and other non-profits – to promote the establishment of many accessible playgrounds throughout the country. Each playground is to be utilized as a platform for structured inclusion activities for children with and without disabilities. Beit Issie Shapiro has also been invited by the Ministry of Justice's Commission for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to give its advice on developing regulations on the issue of accessible playgrounds. • In 2001, Beit Issie Shapiro established the Special University, which develops and offers adapted higher education courses for people with learning and adjustment disabilities. It is the only venue for higher education for this population, and one of a handful in the entire world. The Special University courses are conducted at regular university or college campuses deliberately to enhance the participants' sense of normalcy and belonging to the community at large. From 15 participants in the first year, the Special University offers some six courses to over 130 special students a year. •Beit Issie Shapiro is leading a coalition of non-profits to promote legislation on the rights of infants, ages 6 months to 3 years, to inclusion in regular daycare centers, including the government support necessary. "Persons with disabilities in situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies": •Beit Issie Shapiro opened the first early intervention center for babies with severe disabilities in the Arab community. All employees are Arab speaking. This center has since developed into a model service including outreach, family support, training and treatment. The organization provides training and consultation in Arabic to promote standard of services and knowledge development that is culturally sensitive. •Beit Issie Shapiro has been asked to sit on the Israeli Prime Minister's Roundtable Sub-Committee dealing with Situations of Emergencies, as one of the representatives of the non-profit sector. Together with other organizations it has influenced policy and accessible risk preparedness in times of emergencies, especially with regards to people with disabilities. •In times of humanitarian emergencies, Beit Issie Shapiro has opened its doors on several occasions to people with disabilities and their families, from all walks of life, especially during times of military conflict. |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
On the international level: •With Beit Issie Shapiro’s development from a local to a national organization with an international focus, a Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) was established, composed of experts in services for children and adults with disabilities from around the world. The committee's primary functions are to provide professional guidance, further professional liaison and affiliations with organizations abroad, and further research and other collaborations. •Beit Issie Shapiro enjoys the support and collaborates with professionals in the USA, UK, Canada and South Africa. •Since 1994, Beit Issie Shapiro has conducted international conferences, which take place every four years, and represent unique opportunities for professionals, researchers, policy makers, people with disabilities and parents to meet with colleagues from all over the world and be exposed to the latest knowledge and research in the field of disabilities. On the national level: As a pioneer organization, Beit Issie Shapiro has impacted policy making, and has developed innovative model services that have led to: • Over 400 multi-sensory therapy (Snoezelen) rooms that have been established throughout the country under Beit Issie Shapiro's guidance. These rooms are used to treat people with developmental disabilities, as well as people with Alzheimer's, cancer and trauma victims. Beit Issie Shapiro is the international leader of research of this field. • 120 hydrotherapy pools have been established in Israel, as a result of Beit Issie Shapiro's hydrotherapy program. Beit Issie Shapiro also operates the largest hydrotherapy training center in the world. • 82 early intervention centers have been established in Israel following Beit Issie Shapiro's model. The basket of early intervention treatments provided for by the government has been determined based on Beit Issie Shapiro's model. • In 2001, Beit Issie Shapiro established an early intervention center in Kalansua – the first of its kind in the Arab community. The center provides outreach, family support, training and treatment. • Beit Issie Shapiro leads a coalition of some 60 organizations advocating for improved legislation on critical issues such as rehabilitative daycare, National Security stipends for families with children with disabilities and the integration of children with special needs in regular educational frameworks. • Beit Issie Shapiro established Israel's first accessible and inclusive playground - Park Chaverim - and is guiding some 30 local authorities in establishing similar playgrounds around the country. • Through the Trump International Institute of Continuing Education in Developmental Disabilities, Beit Issie Shapiro provides some 3,000 students and service providers with professional training and enrichment annually. • The Trump International Institute has also established a “Special University” offering unique higher educational opportunities to some 100-200 adults with severe learning and adjustment disabilities, each year. |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
Members of the Board of Directors: Caron Bielski, Chairwoman (Israeli & South African), Geoff Tollman (Israeli), Max Shapiro (Israeli & South African), Sasha Weiss-Trump (Israeli & US), Zvi Kenig (Israeli), Ze’ev Abeles (Israeli), Joshua Gura (Israeli), Adv. Daniel Srur (Israel & Ireland), Joseph Maayan (Israeli), Gabriel Mey-Zahav (Israeli & German), Prof. Tamar Krulik (Israeli), Naomi Stuchiner (Israeli & South African), Dr. Shimshon Neikrug (Israeli & US), Dr. Saul Fine (Israeli & US), Josephine Ziv (Israeli & British), Adv. Sima Perry (Israeli), Ari Shapiro (Israeli), Uri Keidar (Israeli & Hungarian), Tal Eisner (Israeli), Eddy Shalev (Israeli). |
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