Address:

22 Givati Street,
Rishon L’Tzion,
Israel

Centre Head:

Centre Coordinator: Sharon Cohen Tischler
Director of Rehab Centre: Galit Boubli

Phone number:

972-3-9543352/1

Email:

galitb@yadsarah.org.il

Website:

www.yadsarah.org.il

Host organisation name:

Yad Sarah

Date centre established:

2003

Focus of Centre:

• To achieve computer accessibility,
• To treat cognitive disturbance
• To open up the world of computers to everyone with special needs, for communication or leisure.
• To improve their life skills so as to enhance quality of life and independence
•Training of volunteers who will later work with the clients, after the initial accessibility and cognitive assessment have been performed and treatment goals set out.

The Clients

The importance of “outreach centres” is truly seen here. These are clients who do not fit the criteria for either the National Insurance Institute, or the Israeli Ministry of Defense in funding the assessments or paying for the equipment if assessed in one of the established CTECs. These are the people who fall between the cracks because of sudden illness, progressive disease or cognitive disturbance and who do not have the financial means to pay and most of whom will be unable to return to the workforce.
Approximately 50 clients use the centre weekly, between 1-3 sessions each.

The Technology

10 work stations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology is available

Any other information

The Karten CTEC Centre is located in Yad Sarah House on the 1st floor, and is part of the services provided at the Day Rehab Centre.

Host organisation

Yad Sarah
www.yadsarah.org.il

Address:

3 Simchah Holtzberg,
Ra’anana,
Israel

Centre Head:

Sharon Cohen Tischler

Phone number:

972-9-7706624

Email:

Sharontico@gmail.com

Website:

www.yadsarah.org.il

Host organisation name:

Yad Sarah

Date centre established:

2007

Focus of Centre:

• To achieve computer accessibility,
• To treat cognitive disturbance
• To open up the world of computers to everyone with special needs, for communication or leisure.
• To improve their life skills so as to enhance quality of life and independence
• Training of volunteers who will later work with the clients, after the initial accessibility and cognitive assessment have been performed by the occupational therapist with treatment goals set out.

The Clients

The importance of “outreach centres” is truly seen here. These are clients who do not fit the criteria for either the National Insurance Institute, or the Israeli Ministry of Defense in funding the assessments or paying for the equipment if assessed in one of the established CTECs. These are the people who fall between the cracks because of sudden illness, progressive disease or cognitive disturbance and who do not have the financial means to pay and most of whom will be unable to return to the workforce.
30 out of the 36 clients who attend the Rehab Day Center use the CTEC outreach center.
At present the Day Center is open 3 times a week.

The Technology

7 workstations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology

Any other information

The Karten CTEC Centre is located in Yad Sarah House on the 1st floor, and is part of the services provided at the Day Rehab Centre

Host organisation

Yad Sarah
www.yadsarah.org.il

Address:

8 Ichilov Street,
Netanya,
Israel

Centre Head:

Centre Coordinator: Sharon Cohen Tischler
Director of Rehab Centre: Sabrina Kassuto

Phone number:

972-9-8303401

Email:

sabrinak@yadsarah.org.il

Website:

www.yadsarah.org.il

Host organisation name:

Yad Sarah

Date centre established:

2001

Focus of Centre:

• To achieve computer accessibility,
• To treat cognitive disturbance
• To open up the world of computers to everyone with special needs, for communication or leisure.
• To improve their life skills so as to enhance quality of life and independence
• Training of volunteers who will later work with the clients, after the initial accessibility and cognitive assessment have been performed and treatment goals set out.

The Clients

The importance of “outreach centres” is truly seen here. These are clients who do not fit the criteria for either the National Insurance Institute, or the Israeli Ministry of Defense in funding the assessments or paying for the equipment if assessed in one of the established CTECs. These are the people who fall between the cracks because of sudden illness, progressive disease or cognitive disturbance and who do not have the financial means to pay and most of whom will be unable to return to the workforce.
Approximately 40 clients use the centre weekly, between 1-3 sessions each

The Technology

8 workstations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology

Any other information

The Karten CTEC Centre is located in Yad Sarah House on the ground floor, and is part of the services provided at the Day Rehab Centre.

Host organisation

Yad Sarah
www.yadsarah.org.il

Address:

12 Nitzanim Street,
Kfar Saba,
Israel

Centre Head:

Centre Coordinator: Sharon Cohen Tischler
Director of Rehab Centre: Ronnie Freidman

Phone number:

972-9-7621100

Email:

RoniF@yadsarah.org.il

Website:

www.yadsarah.org.il

Host organisation name:

Yad Sarah

Date centre established:

2002

Focus of Centre:

• To achieve computer accessibility,
• To treat cognitive disturbance
• To open up the world of computers to everyone with special needs, for communication or leisure.
• To improve their life skills so as to enhance quality of life and independence
• Basic computer courses for volunteers (prior to working with the clients)
• Training of volunteers who will later work with the clients, after the initial accessibility and cognitive assessment have been performed and treatment goals set out.
• Computer courses for people with mental health issues in order to improve computer skills and self confidence

The Clients

The importance of “outreach centres” is truly seen here. These are clients who do not fit the criteria for either the National Insurance Institute, or the Israeli Ministry of Defense in funding the assessments or paying for the equipment if assessed in one of the established CTECs. These are the people who fall between the cracks because of sudden illness, progressive disease or cognitive disturbance and who do not have the financial means to pay and most of whom will be unable to return to the workforce.
Approximately between 80-100 clients use the centre weekly

The Technology

8 workstations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology

Any other information

The Karten CTEC Centre is located in Yad Sarah House on the 1st floor, and is part of the services provided at the Day Rehab Centre.

Host organisation

Yad Sarah
www.yadsarah.org.il

Address:

Yad Sarah House,
124 Herzl Boulevard,
96187 Jerusalem,
Israel

Centre Head:

Head of CTEC: Sharon Cohen Tischler
Head of Day Rehab Centre: Irit Nahaloni

Phone number:

972 2 6444622

Email:

sharontico@gmail.com

Website:

www.yadsarah.org.il

Host organisation name:

Yad Sarah

Date centre established:

January 1999

Focus of Centre:

To use assistive computer technology
1. To find the optimal solution in computer accessibility to enable a client with special needs to remain in the work force or become part of the work force.
2. Where possible to train clients in computer-related occupations to achieve national recognised qualifications and become part of the normal work force, or do part or full-time paid or voluntary work from home.
To teach young people and adults with physical and/or cognitive, learning or mental health problems how to use computers for relaxation and mental stimulation, in order to improve their life skills so as to enhance their quality of life and independence

The Clients

People with physical, cognitive and/or mental health problems

The Technology

11 workstations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology

Any other information

The Karten CTEC Centre is located in YAD
SARAH House on the 1st floor, and is part of
the services provided at the Day Rehab Centre.

Host organisation

Yad Sarah
www.yadsarah.org.il

Address:

The Karten CTEC Centre
16 Bazel Street,
Petah Tikva,
Israel

Centre Head:

Mrs Michal Fried

Phone number:

972 3 8574211

Email:

michal_pt@keren.org.il

Website:

www.keren.org.il

Host organisation name:

The Keren

Date centre established:

March 1999

Focus of Centre:

1. Assessment of which assistive equipment and software is most suitable for the client. Training the client in the use of the equipment & software
2. Providing a suitable ergonomic workstation
3. Vocational or pre-vocational training
4. Computer use instructions for ADL
5. Help desk services by using modem, fax, telephone etc
6. Job placement

The Clients

People with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities or mental health problems -congenital or acquired syndromes

The Technology

20 workstations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology

Any other information

The staff is multidisciplinary and includes: occupational therapists, computer teachers,
physical therapists, speech therapists, social workers, placement workers and administration workers. There is already a high demand for its services in the community. The majority of the references come through the rehabilitation department of Israel’s social security service and the Ministry of Defence.

Host organisation

The Keren
www.keren.org.il

Address:

The Karten CTEC Centre
Paulus the Sixth Street,
Nazareth,
Israel

Centre Head:

Dareen Haddad

Phone number:

00 972 4 6470656

Email:

Karten-nazeret@keren.org.il

Website:

www.keren.org.il

Host organisation name:

The Keren

Date centre established:

June 2000

Focus of Centre:

The centre provides rehabilitation services through the use of technology and computers to people with physical, mental, sensory and/or cognitive impairments who need to be integrated into work frames and need to improve their life quality.

The Clients

The centre provides different services to the population of Nazareth and the surrounding area, mainly from the Arab community.

The Technology

15 workstations

Assistive Technology

The centre is well equipped with many assistive devices such as different kinds of keyboards, mice, switches, adjustable tables and chairs for people with physical impairments and different computer software for learning disabilities. It is also equipped with computerized stations for the blind and for sight impaired people.

Opening hours:

The centre is opened and provides its services Mondays till Fridays, from 8.00 – 14.30 am.

Any other information

The objectives of the Karten CTEC Centre are:
1. To improve the quality of life and independence of adult people with physical and/or cognitive or learning disabilities by using adaptive computer technology for mental stimulation, for the development of their communication and life skills, for further education and for training in computer related occupations.
2. To provide a facility to the university (i) to carry out research in adaptive computer technology and (ii) to give its Occupational Therapy students the opportunity for hands-on experience in the use of adaptive computer technology to help people with disabilities.
3. To afford equal services to the Israeli Arab community in the area of assistive computer technology for the assessment and training of people with disabilities by establishing a Karten CTEC Centre in a large Arab population centre.

Host organisation

The Keren
www.keren.org.il

Address:

The Karten CTEC Centre
The Keren
Remez Street
Ashkelon
Israel

Centre Head:

Tzipi Cumpton

Phone number:

08-6753861

Email:

kartenash@keren.org.il
or kartenash@bezeqint.net

Website:

www.keren.org.il

Host organisation name:

The Keren

Date centre established:

May 2000

Focus of Centre:

• Assessment of accessibility to computer utilities for software applications, hardware and adaptation of equipment and accessories
• Adaptation of a computer-working environment, for an individual, in the home or at the place of employment.
• Provision of workstation solutions to alleviate fatigue and strain leading to pain.
• Provision of solutions to prevent cumulative damage due to operation at a workstation, ergonomically not well adapted for the user.
• Adaptation of hardware & software for clients with special needs, while offering the prospective user, an opportunity for a “hands-on” experience with the proposed solution, before committing to purchase.
• Individual, professional training in the skills required for the efficient use of the ‘Windows’ environment, ‘Office’ applications, use of the Internet and use of peripheral equipment, all these, for vocational purposes and for leisure.
• Training individuals in acquiring learning strategies and preparing them for study.
• Providing group workshops for obtaining basic computer skills, including the skills required for the use of popular applications.

The Clients

People with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities or mental health problems – congenital or acquired syndromes, from the whole spectrum of Israeli society

The Technology

10 workstations

Assistive Technology

A range of assistive technology

Services on offer to the network

Special services for children:
These include technological solutions for children facing any of the following challenges:
Writing difficulties, motoric disabilities, sensory deficiencies, deficiencies in communication skills or various cognitive deficiencies.
Further we provide:
Professional consulting for the setting up of computer working environments, for individuals with special needs; in schools, classrooms, libraries and in establishments for academic studies.
We also offer a computer-graphics course – with individual tutoring – for clients with special needs.

Any other information

The KEREN was established in 1965 with the goal of creating rehabilitation facilities for the disabled. Today, the “Keren” has 60 vocational rehabilitation projects – 18 vocational rehabilitation centers and 42 sheltered workshops. The “Keren” serves 10,000 people per year including evaluation, vocational training, vocational skills and job coaching for all types of disabilities. Staff include psychologists, evaluators, social workers, occupational therapists, coaches etc.

Host organisation

The Keren
www.keren.org.il

Address:

The Karten CTEC Centre
University of Haifa,
The Interdisciplinary Clinical Centre,
Mount Carmel,
Haifa,
31905,
ISRAEL

Centre Head:

Dalia Sachs

Phone number:

+972-4-8240503

Email:

karten@research.haifa.ac.il

Website:

http://hw2.haifa.ac.il/karten

Host organisation name:

The Keren, Haifa University

Date centre established:

January 2003

Focus of Centre:

1. To improve the quality of life and independence of people with physical and/or cognitive or learning disabilities by using adaptive computer technology for mental stimulation, for the development of their communication and life skills, for further education and for training in computer related occupations.
2. To provide a facility to the university (i) to carry out research in adaptive computer technology and (ii) to give its Occupational Therapy students the opportunity for hands-on experience in the use of adaptive computer technology to help people with disabilities

The Clients

People with disabilities who come for training courses a few times a week for a period of time, usually a couple of months. Other clients come for evaluation and planning a personal computerized environment, or to have training in the use of assistive technology.
The services are intended for children and adults who have to cope with physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health disabilities. Type of disabilities catered for: Cerebral palsy, PDD, ADHD, ALS, CVA, TBI, Burns, Deaf, Hearing impairments, Blind, Sight impairments, Physical impairments, Cognitive impairments, Sensory impairments, Rheumatic disease, Parkinson, Alzheimer, Diabetes, Metabolism disease etc.

The Technology

12 workstations

Assistive Technology

Software like: Screen magnifiers, Screen readers, Text-to-speech and Speech-to-text software, Grammar checkers and more. Hardware like: Special Keyboards: with big keys, large print keyboard with high contrast colours, small keyboard for using with one hand, Special mouse: trackballs, joysticks, graphics tablets, touchpads, touch screens, foot mice, a microphone with speech recognition software, sip-and-puff input, switch access, and vision-based input devices.

Staffing

5 staff

Opening hours:

Five days a week, Sunday till Thursday from 8:00 am to 16:00 pm.

Services on offer to the network

The Karten Institute provides aid and consultation in the following areas:
• Workstation adjustments, assistive technology devices and means for alternative communication: Karten Haifa assesses individual computer accessibility and offers advice regarding suitable hardware, software, and accessories. Guided practice and adaptation as required – at the premises or at the client’s home, on loan, for those not mobile enough to come to the centre.
• Ergonomic counselling: For adjustments in the client’s work station or the client’s home station
• Windows, Office, and Internet guidance: With a variety of programs directed towards professional training on a group and individual basis.
• Solutions to easing tiredness and pain in the hands, back, neck, and eyes as a result of prolonged work
• Acquiring control of helping technology through learning and practice
• Technological solutions for children with writing difficulties and motor, sensory, communication, or cognitive handicaps
• Diagnosis of physical work skills to evaluate a person’s working ability after an injury, illness, or trauma
• Consultation for professionals and institutions who want to set up computer workstations adjusted for people with special needs
• Personal and group training on the uses of a basic computer for purposes of professional training, employment, studying, and leisure activities
• Practice by means of the computer to improve cognitive skills

Partnership

We work with other healthcare organizations, like the national insurance institute of Israel, The ministry of defence and the welfare services in Haifa and the north of Israel. They send us patients for evaluation and also for training courses. We also work with rehabilitation centres which we provide them evaluation and consultation about assistive technology.

Any other information

The Centre is located on University of Haifa. The staffs are multi-disciplinary including occupational therapists, speech therapists, computer teachers, and computer and technology experts.

Host organisation

Haifa University
www.haifa.ac.il/index_eng.html

Address:

The Karten CTEC Centre
Helen Keller House,
13 Yad Lebanim Ave.,
Tel Aviv
Israel

Mailing address: P.O.B. 9259, Tel Aviv 61092 Israel

Centre Head:

Mr. Chaim Fuchs, Executive Director

Elias Kabakov, Professional Director

Phone number:

+972-3-631-6361

Email:

chaim@cdb.org.il

Website:

www.cdb.org.il

Host organisation name:

Beth David Institute – Center for Deaf-Blind Persons

Date centre established:

September 2007

Focus of Centre:

• Assessment of each individual’s unique needs and abilities, and of the adaptive equipment necessary to match those needs and to enable each individual to reach their full potential.
• Training in the use of equipment and software – with an emphasis on life skills and independence.
• Individual programs for the development of alternative communication methods and skills.
• Preparation for, referral to, and assistance in integrating into the workforce.
• Resources for professionals in the field, focusing on providing them with the opportunity to learn about current technology and its potential benefits for deaf-blind people.
• Services for students in the periphery.
Access to all of the programs, services and activities of the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons.

The Clients

Our clients are deaf-blind, meaning that they have a combination of visual and hearing impairments. The leading cause of deaf-blindness in Israel is Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition involving both deafness (from birth) and the progressive loss of vision throughout life.
The students typically take a course of study which is composed of 33 classes. Each client studies at their own pace, so while one might finish in a few months others could take a year.

The Technology

Teaching Computer Stations and portable units for use both in and out of the Center, Braille displays, CCTV’s and special keyboards for deaf or hard of hearing people who are visually impaired.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology includes software such as Zoomtext, which enlarges the text displayed on the computer monitor, and Oovoo, which interfaces with an internet camera so that clients can communicate by sign language over the internet. Another program, which we recently began to offer, is the graphics program Photoshop. Four or five students with residual vision, who have mastered the programs we teach, asked to go on and learn a more complex program. They still have sufficient residual vision to be employed using Photoshop or to simply enjoy using the program in their leisure time. Several of them specifically requested Photoshop, and as we fortunately have a teacher who knows it well enough to teach we purchased a few licenses.

Staffing

The staff members, all of whom are part time, include: 9 teachers, a Centre coordinator, a secretary, a Social Worker and our Professional Director.

Opening hours:

At least four hours a day, most days of the week.

Services on offer to the network

We would be happy to provide a tour of our facilities to representatives from other Centres. We are also happy to share our professional experience and programs with other Centres.

Partnership

We cooperate with all relevant organizations to combine resources for the benefit of the deaf-blind population of Israel. However, because of their dual disability, which is one of the most difficult disabilities known in the professional world, deaf-blind people can only minimally benefit directly from services offered by organizations for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, or from those for blind or visually impaired people. The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons is the only organization in Israel that specifically serves the unique needs of this population, which is both hearing and visually impaired.

Any other information

The Center’s focus is on using and adapting modern technology to help these individuals reach their full potential in all spheres of life. We aim to improve their quality of life, decrease their dependence on state subsidies and assistance from their families and communities, and increase their independence through adaptive computer technology. This in turn helps them to communicate and increases their access to information, social contact and education. They can then benefit, as well, from various aspects of life that hearing-sighted people take for granted.

External professional Evaluation
2009
The Director of the Ministry of Welfare decided in 2009 to choose one program in each field that the Ministry works in and to conduct an in depth examination of that program. Our Karten CTEC was singled out for this honor and we were proud to participate in the evaluation, which was conducted by the Ministry of Welfare together with a non governmental partner. They constructed a questionnaire, met with our staff numerous times and were very impressed by the services we provide.

Ministry of Welfare Evaluation of CDB Karten Center

2008
As part of our continued efforts to improve our programs and services, in 2008 we hired an external, professional evaluator to examine the Karten CTEC Centre and to interview the students and staff. For this task we chose The Trump Institute for Continuing Education in Developmental Disabilities which is based in Beit Issie Shapira. The Trump Institute is one of the most respected organizations in this field in Israel. Dr. Hozmi, director of The Trump Institute, personally conducted the evaluation. We are proud to report that the results of his evaluation were highly positive.

Hozmi evaluation of CDB Karten Center

Host organisation

Beth David Institute
www.cdb.org.il