Beit Issie Shapiro is Israel’s leading organization in the field of disability.

The Israeli Hamsa -‘hand’ provides a good model for understanding the five levels on which Beit Issie Shapiro operates to improve the civic rights of people with special needs and ensure their access to the high quality services and programs they depend on…

• We provide therapeutic daycare and treatment
• We offer a continuum of services to support families
• We operate programs that challenge prejudices and promote the inclusion of people with special needs and play an active role in inlfuencing public policy
• We engage in research and program evaluation, contributing to the development of knowledge
• We educate and train professionals to follow the service models known to work best.

From the beginning, we set ourselves far reaching goals. Recognizing the fact that disability is a social and political issue as well as a personal one, we have sought to change the world in which people with disabilities and special needs, live.

These efforts have not been limited by national boundaries. On the contrary Beit Issie Shapiro’s expertise and international reputation has led to consultations and collaborations on a range of issues. Our 4-yearly international conferences, research and training partnerships are important vehicles for sharing our vision and models with professionals and leaders abroad.

Through these many different activities, we impact more than 30,000 people each year – not only in Israel, but abroad.