Abstract of S. Galor lecture


THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEGISLATION IN REGARD TO THE
RIGHTS OF INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR
ACTUAL ACCEPTANCE BY SOCIETY

S. Galor
Akim Israel

In every society, there is a human tendency to categorize people in
groups within the society, in accordance with their religious, national
affiliation or specific disability and to attribute negative image labels to
such groups. This type of regard is characterized by alienating - and
even harming those people, causing them to be marginalized in
society. The NIMBY (not in my backyard) phenomenon is one of the
prominent expressions of this social marginalization - which is
characterized by citizens objecting to live near institutions for disabled
persons and specifically, for intellectually disabled persons.
Intellectually disabled persons encounter difficulties in integrating into
society due to a fact which they are unable to change. The way
society relates to their difference and their intellectual disability,
constitutes a significant obstacle which is added to the difficulties
stemming from the disability itself. Legislation in Israel reflects a policy
of integration and equality when relating to disabled persons. The
basic principles of the integrative policy are embodied in the law
regarding equality of rights for disabled people, the United Nations
Convention regarding the rights of disabled people which was signed
by the State of Israel, its ratification process and legislation in the
spheres of education, occupation, etc. These principles are also
reflected by the rulings of Israeli courts. It is proposed that a hearing
should take place regarding this matter, in order to present the gap
between legislation relating to the rights of disabled people and
specifically, the rights of intellectually disabled persons and their
acceptance and actual integration into Israeli society and the methods
to increase awareness and integration of positive standpoints vis-a-vis
intellectually disabled persons and disabled people in general.


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