AKIM’s Vision
To make the Israeli society a better place for people with intellectual disabilities and their families: a respecting, warm and accepting society that facilitates self-realization, in acknowledgment of difference and in commitment to equal opportunities.
Strategic goals
✅ Inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the society.
✅ Promoting the rights of personal choice and the right to be heard of people with intellectual disabilities.
✅ Implementing a person-centered approach among all state and government agencies.
✅ Developing and implementing knowledge and services about human-centered approach for people with intellectual disabilities.
✅ Akim Israel serves as a representative body for advocacy and support to people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
About Us
AKIM Israel is the Israeli national organization for people with intellectual disabilities and their families, operating as a person-centered organization. Founded in 1951, AKIM Israel acts to realize the rights, promote a better quality of life, and improve the welfare of some 35,000 people with intellectual disabilities and approximately 140,000 family members and legal guardians. We operate in 65 branches and 88 municipalities nationwide, managed by parents and volunteers in the Jewish and Arab sectors.
AKIM Israel strives for the “inclusion” of people with intellectual disabilities in their communities in all aspects of life. We offer legal advocacy through parental and self-advocacy leadership. In partnership with the Welfare Ministry and local authorities, we operate some 100 frameworks throughout the country. Our programs address community living issues, vocational programs, work in the free market, army service and national service, kindergartens and after-school activities, enrichment activities, recreational programs, summer camps, dental care services, and more.
Our Services
AKIM’s array of services covers all aspects of the person’s life, provided in partnership with the Welfare Ministry, the National Insurance Institute of Israel and relevant local authorities:
Community housing
Community housing – including apartments and group homes (group homes are mainly designated as senior and nursing homes) all located within the community.
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Employment
Employment – a large variety of employment programs and frameworks for people with intellectual disabilities on all function levels and for people with other disabilities, including: work on the free market, sheltered workshops within workplaces on the free market (industrial rehabilitation), work-therapy centers and nursing daycare facilities.
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Recreation, culture, art and sport
Recreation, culture, art and sport – art, culture, sport and recreational frameworks and activities have been held by AKIM throughout the years and include: recreational clubs in local community centers, sporting activities and healthy lifestyle, trips and events, summer camps for children, vacations and holidays, theater clubs, dance and singing groups and art classes.
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Military service recruitment
Military service recruitment – running a program for the recruitment of individuals with intellectual disabilities to the IDF in the status of soldiers in compulsory military service.
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Building and development
The first accessible playroom was inaugurated in Ashkelon
the first AKIM’s accessible playroom for children with disabilities was inaugurated at the “Lev mall” in the city of Ashkelon. This one of a kind playroom is unique in Israel as it is suitable for children with all types of disabilities.
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