Wheelchair accessible seminaries

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  • #611239
    writersoul
    Participant

    While I’m not specifically looking for this for myself, but rather for someone else, I’d be thrilled to know if one existed because I have my own health issues. Most of the seminaries I’ve been looking into are in buildings with stairs or, in the case of Michlalah, on a campus with stairs. Are there any that would be either wheelchair accessible or, at the very least, with a very limited number of stairs? The person I’m asking for is more physically limited than I am- while if I do go to Michlalah I will probably with effort be able to do the stairs, this girl would probably not be able to consistently.

    I don’t care about hashkafa at this point- just such a seminary’s mere existence would be nice to know about (I’m trying to convince her that she should go and this is a big stumbling block I’ve run into). That means from the most yeshivish to the most tzioni to the most modern to the most anything in between.

    Thanks!

    #986335
    Torah613Torah
    Participant

    Interesting question. I’ve always wondered what people with wheelchairs do in Eretz Yisrael, it feels like there are steps everywhere.

    #986336
    LevAryeh
    Member

    Definitely don’t go to seminary in Tsfat.

    #986337
    sem613
    Participant

    check MMY, I’m pretty sure that they’re only 1 building and have an elevator. I know someone very physically impaired who went there.

    #986338
    writersoul
    Participant

    LAB: Don’t even talk to me about Tzfat; I still have nightmares.

    Torah: I know, I guess they must stick to all of the really cityish parts. I have an aunt who lived in Yerushalayim with a wheelchair and I have no idea how she did it.

    I just hate to have my friend proved right… she would completely love seminary and if this is what would break it for her then that’s just sad.

    To the best of people’s knowledge, do any sem buildings at least have elevators? Shabbos elevators?

    #986339
    🍫Syag Lchochma
    Participant

    my daughter said one of the seminaries had built ramps for a girl with CF. It’s probably worth asking specific seminaries or girls who have gone in the past if they have any knowledge of it being done.

    #986340
    OURtorah
    Participant

    sha’alvim for women has an elevator

    #986341
    writersoul
    Participant

    MMY actually sounds perfect for this girl setting aside accessibility, so if they really are accessible then that’s amazing. I’m definitely going to suggest it.

    What kills me is that Michlalah is so full of stairs. I’m actually personally really nervous for if I go. I’m not sure if I could take a whole year.

    This is actually not the first time she’s had a handicap-related problem in a frum environment. It’s really not easy.

    Thanks so much, guys!

    #986342
    sem613
    Participant

    oh, and about michlalah, maybe talk to them about making sure you get an appartment in the 30s, or if you have a big year the 40s, and not a cottage- it cuts off a lot of stairs (theres still a lot, but the higher up you are the less there are).

    #986343
    Vogue
    Member

    Try seminaries on the neve campus. Since neve is pretty big they probably have a way to accommodate your friend.

    #986344
    Derech Agav
    Participant

    meor has had girls with disabilities. they definitely work with the student.

    and additionally its a good place, great classes and rabbi greenwald is supposed to be phenomonal.

    ik all osrts of girls who have gone!

    MEOR BAIS YAAKOV

    Malon Reich

    Rechov Haggai 1

    Beit Hakerem

    643-1178

    bhatzlacha!

    #986345

    Try Shaalvim for Women, in Malcha. It’s a very nice new building. the school is modern orthodox religious zionist, most girls are American – its a really warm place.

    #986346
    SaysMe
    Member

    i know a girl who has a wheelchair who went to sem in israel- the sem built ramps for her. She should ask the sems she’d consider if they have/wld have the ability to install ramps. Worth asking abt elevators too. Im sure some have tho they dont advertise it

    #986347
    notasheep
    Member

    Pninim has a lift but the mads have the key so you would probably need special permission to have your own.

    #986348
    writersoul
    Participant

    sem613: That’s what my mom said, she had a cottage and it was apparently a HUGE pain in the neck to do all of the stairs. Does it make a difference when it comes to getting to the main building? The cottages seem to be closer to the main building from the map.

    Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! It’s good to have ammunition :). I think she’d love seminary and it’s nice to know that if I manage to convince her she’ll have where to go.

    #986349
    sem613
    Participant

    basicly michlalah is built down the side of a mountain.

    so while on a map the cottages are closer to the school building, its longer flights of stairs, and way longer to get out of campus.

    so the top of campus is the 80s dorm adn hte 4th floor of the school building, but you enter that building on the 3rd floor, not at the entrance to the campus. its sorta hard to explain.

    is it harder for you to walk distances or to walk stairs? cuz that will make a big difference.

    there arent elevators there because there isnt a way to build them since nothing in straight up and down.

    #986350
    writersoul
    Participant

    Distances are fine- stairs are major problems. I am slow though, so if I’m too far away I’ll probably get places late.

    My mom went about thirty years ago so she’s not an enormous help as far as what it’s like currently… 🙂 She told me about the whole mountain aspect but she doesn’t really remember the layout THAT well and apparently it’s a bit different than her time.

    Can you even request a specific dorm?

    #986351
    live right
    Member

    neve campus would be good if it weren’t in harnof which has another staircase every time you blink.

    #986352
    sem613
    Participant

    writer: nothing is so far, but there are things farther than others.

    also, you’d probably end up doing what I did and just not go back you your room in the middle of the day, and just plan that way.

    I don’t think the layout of the buildings changed so much, but they apparently changed the numbering system and which dorms are which.

    In general, you can’t request a specific dorm, but I would say its worth asking if they think they can accomidate you or not. If you have a reason they will probably work with you to make it work.

    also, if you go to michlalah make sure you have friends who will offer to do grocery shopping for you since the main makolet is up a nice long flight of stairs. (although there is a makolet on campus thats usable)

    #986353

    I can’t speak for seminaries (mine does have stairs and I really don’t know about others) but if your friend does manage to find a seminary that can accommodate her, you should tell her about a shul called Yedidyah in the Bak’a neighborhood. In order to be as inclusive as possible, the shul has ONLY ramps and NO stairs (as opposed to most handicap-accessible places that have both stairs and ramps). I really admire the thoughtfulness and sensitivity in ensuring not only that those with disabilities can physically navigate the building, but also that they don’t have to feel self-conscious about being the only ones to make use of the ramp. (Not to mention those with physical disabilities which are less obvious, who may also feel embarrassed using ramps).

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