Recent report indicates Kadima presented 17 bills for rights of people with disabilities, Yisrael Beytenu presented 14.
By DANIELLE ZIRIDisabilities wheelchair disabled 521(photo credit: Moshe Shai)
Bizchut, an organization that works to advance the rights of people with disabilities in Israel, published a report Wednesday ranking political parties according to the number of bills aiding the disabled that they proposed to the 18th Knesset.At the top of the list is Kadima, with 17 propositions at its credit. Among them was a bill initiated by MK Yoel Hasson that would provide tax exemptions on tools used by blind students to help them study in academic institutions.In second place, the data shows Yisrael Beytenu had presented the 18th Knesset with 14 such bills. It is followed by the Likud, with 10 initiatives. One of the bills, proposed by MK Hamed Amer and passed as a law, introduced the beeping sound signals found on pedestrian traffic lights, enabling blind people to cross the street safely.On the bottom of the list are the Arab Movement for Renewal, National Union and Independence.Bizchut, which is also known as the Israel Human Rights Center for People with Disabilities, said in a statement that seeing Kadima at the top of the rankings was a nice surprise, considering that the party – unlike the Likud and Yisrael Beytenu – does not have an MK with disabilities.In addition, Kadima has not been known in the past to advance such issues.“It’s good and encouraging to see Knesset members from all parties share the common interest of advancing the rights of people with disabilities,” Esther Sivan, executive director of Bitzchut, said in a statement.The report was presented at the organization’s 20thanniversary gala, which took place in Jaffa on Thursday night.
