Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand who is visiting Jerusalem
is recovering from an injury and presently unable to climb stairs.
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.
Many places in Jerusalem can be difficult if you cannot do steps.
The Kotel, the Western Wall can be accessed by wheelchair
but until a proposed elevator is built,
getting there from the Jewish Quarter requires going down many steps.
Some sidewalks are narrow,
very narrow.
The new Mamilla Mall
and the central square in the Rova, the Jewish Quarter, are passable,
but too many sidewalks
are blocked,
or non-existent,
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.
In Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day
when thousands and thousands of people gathered
…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,
but one should not have to be royalty to have their basic needs accommodated.
Outrageous!
Update: April 17, 2012,
New bus stops make walking easier,
now we need better public toilets in Gan Sacher for Yom Ha’atzmaut.
gr8 pics! send to knesset and maybe things will change, keep up the good work!
THANK YOU feel free to forward them to whomever you think might want to help solve this awul situation
…and the worst culprits are synagogues. Barely any shuls are accessible…
Synagogues and restaurants and public buildings and even some doctors’ offices!
But situtation in Gan Sacher was the last straw!
kol hakovod!
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.
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?
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!
Basic needs should and have to be a priority!
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.
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.
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..
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