With Gratitude, Ksharim Booklet 5773-5774 / 2013-2014 Information for Parents of Children with Special Needs Produced with the Generous Assistance of Alon Holdings Blue Square - Israel Ltd. On behalf of the thousands of families who will benefit from the information in this booklet, we would like to express our sincere thanks to you. Data Collection: Kesher - The Home for Special Families (R.A.) Thank you to Nira Feldman for her assistance in collecting and updating this information. Graphic design and editing: Ortal Feldheim and Studio Aliza 5773 - 2013 © All Rights Reserved, Kesher Association - The Home For Special Families (R.A.), 4 Yad Harutzim St., Jerusalem 93420. It is prohibited to photograph, photocopy, duplicate, translate, record, store in a database, broadcast or receive in any manner, form, or means whatsoever (whether electronic, optical, mechanical or otherwise), any segment or part of this booklet. Commercial use of any kind of the material presented in this booklet is strictly prohibited without receiving explicit permission in writing from the publisher. Preface - Message from the Kesher Association .......................................................... 11 Message from Yael Levental-Lev Ran, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Alon Holdings Blue Square .................................................................................................... 12 Greetings from the City of Beer Sheva ........................................................................ 13 About Kesher - The Home For Special Families ......................................................... 14 Rights and Monetary Benefits Disabled Child Annuity - Bituach Leumi .................................................................... 22 Mobility Annuity - Bituach Leumi ............................................................................... 29 Organizations Providing Assistance in Appealing Decisions Reached by Bituach Leumi ................................................................................................................ 36 Public appeals department at Bituach Leumi .......................................................................... 36 Legal Assistance Bureau at the Ministry of Justice ................................................................. 36 Labor Courts Throughout Israel .............................................................................................. 37 Reduced Water Payments for Recipients of Disabled Child Annuities - Water Corporations ................................................................................................................... 37 Reduced Electricity Payments for Recipients of Disabled Child Annuities – Electric Corporation ...................................................................................................... 38 Reduced Municipal Tax (“Arnona”) Payments - Local Authority............................ 39 Reduced Telephone Payments - Ministry of Welfare and Social Services ................ 40 Credit Points and Tax Refunds - Income Tax ............................................................. 41 Tax Credit for Maintenance of Child/Adult in Residential Program Outside of the Parents’ Home ....................................................................................... 44 Parking Tag and Payment of Reduced Vehicle License Fee - Licensing Authority. 45 Marking of Parking Areas - Local Authority .............................................................. 50 Exemption from Broadcast Authority Fee .................................................................. 51 Entitlement to Absence from Work Due to the Illness of a Special Child ................ 52 Adjustment of Housing Conditions for Persons with Mobility Impairments – Ministry of Health + Ministry of Housing ................................................................... 53 Residential Benefits - Mortgages - Ministry of Housing ............................................. 57 Reduced Tax on Apartment Purchases - Purchase Tax ............................................. 59 Tax Exemption for Deposits in Provident Funds ........................................................ 61 Education Introduction .................................................................................................................... 64 Education for Children from Birth to Age 3 ............................................................... 64 Rehabilitative Day Care Centers ............................................................................................. 65 Integration of Toddlers with Special Needs in Day Care Centers and Family Centers ........... 66 Education for Children Aged 3-21 ............................................................................... 66 Medical Assistant for Child with Medical Needs .................................................................... 67 Integration of Child with Special Needs in Ordinary Education Frameworks ........................ 69 Yated Shiluv: The Center for Promotion of Education and Integration .................................. 74 Placement in Special Education Environments ....................................................................... 74 Various Services for Students in Special Education ................................................... 78 Eligibility for Transportation Assistance ................................................................................. 79 Education During Illness ............................................................................................... 83 Main Principles of the Free Education for Sick Children Law, 5761-2001 ............................ 83 Kav Or: Distance Learning for Children in Hospitals ............................................................. 84 Tlalim: Educational Support for Homebound Students........................................................... 84 Advocacy Organizations in the Field of Education .................................................... 84 Public Complaints and Appeals Division and Hotline for Student Inquiries .......................... 85 Legal Clinic for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ......................................................... 85 Health Introduction .................................................................................................................... 88 Health Rights .................................................................................................................. 88 Exemption from Professional Doctor Fees and Visiting Fees in Institutes and Outpatient Clinics ................................................................................................................................................. 88 Reduced Deductibles when Purchasing Drugs for Patients with Chronic Illnesses ................ 89 Medicinal Food ....................................................................................................................... 90 Organizations Providing Assistance in Purchasing Drugs not in the Health Basket ................................................................................................................. 92 Friends for Health Association ................................................................................................ 92 Refa’enu Association .............................................................................................................. 92 The Israeli Foundation for Drug Funding, Provided by the Yachad Betikva Association ...... 92 Keren Yish’i Association ........................................................................................................ 92 Child Development Services Basket ............................................................................. 93 *Treatment by Multidisciplinary Staff for Children with Somatic Disabilities until Age 18 .. 94 Eligibility of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disabilities for Developmental Services ...... 95 Eligibility of Children in Special Education for Developmental Services Provided by Health Funds ........................................................................................................................... 95 Representatives Responsible for Handling Appeals from the Patient Public Regarding the Health System ......................................................................................................................... 96 Dental Treatments ................................................................................................................... 99 Funding of Mobility Devices ................................................................................................ 100 Centers and Organizations Providing Advice and Lending of Rehabilitative Equipment .................................................................................................................... 104 Light to the World ................................................................................................................. 104 Arab Association for Disabled Persons ................................................................................. 105 Yad Sarah (R.A.) ................................................................................................................... 105 Milbat - The Israeli Center for Assistance, Construction and Transportation Devices for Disabled Persons ................................................................................................................... 105 Maayan - Center Providing Assistive Devices