Outrageous

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand who is visiting Jerusalem

is recovering from an injury and presently unable to climb stairs.

"picture wheel chairs" , "photo wheel chair" , "image disabilites"

The grounds of Beit HaNasi, the President’s official residence

are accessible for those with disabilities,

however it is reported that on an official visit she had a difficult time

because of the stairs inside.

"picture stairs Jerusalem","photo Yemin Moshe",image Jerusalem steps"

Many places in Jerusalem can be difficult if you cannot do steps.

"Wheel chair at Wailing Wall", "picture Wailing Wall", "photo wheel chair"

The Kotel, the Western Wall can be accessed by wheelchair

"Step Old City picture", "Photo Old City", "image steps Jerusalem"

but until a proposed elevator is built,

getting there from the Jewish Quarter requires going down many steps.

"picture Jerusalem streets", "photo car Jerusalem", "image car"

Some sidewalks are narrow,

"picture narrow sidewalk", "Photo sidewalk Jerusalem","image Jerusalem sidewalk"

very narrow.

"Palestinian woman picture", "image Arab woman", "photo Palestinian"

The new Mamilla Mall

"image Palestinian man", "photo Arab Old City", "picture East Jerusalem"

and the central square in the Rova, the Jewish Quarter, are passable,

"picture sidewalk blocked", "image garbage dumpster", "photo Jerusalem street"

but too many sidewalks

"image bus stop", "picture old bus stop Jerusalem", "photo old bus stop"

are blocked,

"image disabled in the street", "photo traffic", "picture handicapped"

or non-existent,

"picture riding in street", "photo handicapped", "image disabled in street"

forcing wheelchairs and similar vehicles into busy streets.

None of this is news in Jerusalem,

for too many restaurants, synagogues and public buildings

are not accessible to the disabled.

"picture Sacher Park", "woman on walker picture", "image handicapped"

In Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day

when thousands and thousands of people gathered

"picture restrooms", "image bathrooms"

  …there were NO additional bathrooms provided.

Those women patient enough to wait in line had to navigate steps.

Some women required assistance,

requiring men in the toilet area to help them in and out of a waiting wheelchair.

Outrageous…

there is no excuse for this situation in the center of Jerusalem!

It may be hard to avoid going in the street in some locations,

"photo wheelchair", "picture tourists in wheel chair", "

but one should not have to be royalty to have their basic needs accommodated.

  Outrageous!

Update: April 17, 2012,

"picture new bus stop","Jerusalem bus photo" , "image bus stop Jerusalem"

 New bus stops make walking easier,

 now we need better public toilets in Gan Sacher for Yom Ha’atzmaut.

13 thoughts on “Outrageous

  • May 18, 2011 at 11:16 am
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    gr8 pics! send to knesset and maybe things will change, keep up the good work!

    Reply
    • May 18, 2011 at 1:05 pm
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      Synagogues and restaurants and public buildings and even some doctors’ offices!
      But situtation in Gan Sacher was the last straw!

      Reply
    • May 18, 2011 at 1:40 pm
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      Thanks, I felt badly showing this woman’s face, but I wanted to make sure the man showed up in the picture,
      this could not be more humilating then the event iteself…
      and if enough people send on the picutres to complain maybe we can get some action.

      Reply
  • May 18, 2011 at 1:56 pm
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    One would think that a country that is secured and defended by the most efficient, capable Army in the world, B”H, would show its gratitude to those who come back from war, skirmishes, & terrorist attacks, horribly wounded, crippled, blind, and paralyzed from defending this country – and us – would make living & moving around in the streets much easier for these heroes. There are too many steps, high curbs, narrow sidewalks, inaccessible toilets, not enough elevators or wheelchair elevators for these soldiers or the average impaired or elderly citizen or tourist (think $, govenrment!). Not only in Jerusalem is this outrage perpetrated. In Tel Aviv, Haifa, other cities, tourist attractions, shopping malls, parks, and more, can a handicapped person NOT be able to move around and enjoy the surroundings, spend money in stores, or even pee in privacy!
    Why should anyone, especially our beloved and respected chayalim, suffer this way? Where is the understanding, empathy and chessed Jews are known for?

    Reply
  • May 18, 2011 at 2:42 pm
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    BS”D Something to do with the $88M/month government is sending to the PLO?…meanwhile, as when there were no ramps at all, we need to continue to help our fellow Jews!

    Reply
  • May 19, 2011 at 2:43 am
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    After all who cares where just a bunch of crips. Hitler had us put to death andnow our hmelanmd jjst does not care about us. I have an idea. Why not refuse to ay ny taxes until some efforts are made.

    Reply
  • May 20, 2011 at 8:29 am
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    Did you ever see the Maagalei Tzedek (or was it Hatav Hachevrati?) on Emek Refa’im? They used to hang out there with wheelchairs letting passersby try them out, strolling down the sidewalk and going into stores, to see how hard it is.

    What bugs me a lot, which you didn’t mention, is all the apartment buildings that don’t have elevators in this city. By Israeli law, buildings don’t need elevators if they’re not over four stories tall. I live on the fourth floor (tho this would also be true even if I only lived one floor up) and I have friends who are n’chei Tzahal who can’t visit me.

    I think things are getting better tho. New things are more wheelchair accessible. Like the new busses. And I read an article that they’re gradually making all bus stops wheelchair accessible – level with the ground and farther back from the street. Also, if I remember correctly, my university (Bar Ilan) was pretty good in terms of that. Everything had ramps or elevators and there was a decent amount of disabled students, I figured largely n’chei Tzahal.

    Reply
    • May 22, 2011 at 6:18 pm
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      Some apartment biuldings are getting persmission to install elavators.
      I certainly know your problem, as I live up 45 steps and many family and friends can never visit..

      Reply
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