This study was carried out by Michlol- the Evaluation and Measurement Unit of the Shalem Fund
This research work deals with the important issue of information accessibility in local authorities for people with intellectual developmental disabilities in Israel. Motivated by the need to promote cognitive accessibility in accordance with the “Equality of Rights for Persons with Disabilities Act” and the “Accessibility Regulations”, this study aims to examine and measure the needs of people with developmental intellectual disabilities in the area of information accessibility in the local authority where they live (public sphere).
Using a mixed methods approach, this study collected quantitative and qualitative data from 149 participants across 12 different settings, representing diverse age groups, genders, and geographic regions. The research tool, a cognitively accessible questionnaire, was developed in collaboration with the ‘Michlol’ unit, Shalem Fund and the Israeli Institute for Cognitive Accessibility.
The findings reveal that the public areas most frequented by the participants include supermarkets, hospitals/pharmacies, shopping centers, restaurants/cafes, parks/amusement parks and various events. Common means of transportation include private vehicles and walking, usually with an escort. It should be noted that the respondents rely to a large extent on personal explanations, loudspeakers and signage for accessibility.
Keywords :Adults 21+, Study of Shalem fund, Community integration, Cognitive accessibility