A 14-year-old Jerusalem resident who is confined to a wheelchair sued Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and the city for his inability to access the library, gym, and computer room. In City Hall, the matter of accessibility has not been a high priority despite having received a special budget from the Education Ministry for this very purpose. Only after the suit was filed did the city commit to making the school accessible to disabled persons.

The lawsuit was filed by attorneys of the office of Ari, Fisch & Saban, seeking 57,355 shekels. The lawsuit details difficulties in accessing the entrance of the school which is on the side of a mountain, as well as an inability in accessing the library, gym, computer room and bomb shelter. They also contend the services were only made available in 2014 after parents exerted a great deal of pressure.

The girl was also forced to give up participation in the class bas mitzvah since she could not access the venue. The lawsuit also stipulates that in 2013, the Education Ministry gave no less than 412,000 shekels to make the school accessible to the disabled. The plaintiff maintains the funds were not used as they should have and the school remains inaccessible. Once again, only after pressure was applied by parents was some of the budget used to make the restrooms accessible.

An agreement was reached by the sides in which the plaintiff would receive 40,000 shekels. In addition, a schedule would be agreed to regarding making the school disabled accessible.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)