A new poll by an Israeli non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life of individuals with disabilities revealed this week the attitude of Israelis toward the disabled.

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Conducted by Access Israel, the survey shows that while in some areas there have been improvements, in others, there is still reluctance and prejudices, especially among men.

For example, Israeli parents have become more accepting of their children learning in the same classroom with a disabled child. Two years ago, only one-third of the parents were on board with the idea, while by 2023, the number rose to almost 85%.

Whereas when it comes to romantic relationships, 78% of respondents – especially between the ages of 18-29 – said they would not go out on a date with a person who has a physical disability. Moreover, 12% said it would even bother them to sit in a restaurant next to a physically disabled person.

With regard to employment, 89% of respondents said they would prefer a candidate with no disability over a candidate who has a disability. The poll also showed that two-thirds of the respondents believed many abuse their disability by getting a disabled parking permit or using one without merit.

Moreover, 14% said it bothers them when a disabled person skips the line in front of them. Forty percent said that they shy away from helping a disabled person lest they get embarrassed or offended.

"It seems that there is more awareness of the issue, but the poll shows us that there is still a lot of work ahead," Yuval Wagner, founder and head of Access Israel, said.

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As the world marks International Guide Dog Day, the management of the Hapoel Tel Aviv soccer team is looking into ways to make it possible for fans with guide dogs to come to their upcoming game at Bloomfield Stadium, Israel Hayom has learned from sources involved in the matter. 

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The goal of the managers, and especially that of Boaz Toshav, who represents one of the team owners, is to allow as many people with disabilities, especially blindness, as possible to experience the games and attend matches with their guide dogs.  

Hapoel Tel Aviv has asked the Israel Football Association and the Bloomfield Stadium administration to approve the unprecedented initiative. If they do, the plan is to implement the changes ahead of the team's upcoming match against Kfar Saba. If successful, 3,000 seats at gates 10 and 11 will be transformed into a special zone for fans with disabilities. 

"For now, it is just an idea," one source told Israel Hayom. "We constantly want and think of how to make things better for our people and fans."

Hapoel Tel Aviv has already formed a special team that consists of players with disabilities. The goal of the project is for players to believe they can do everything and to meet with other fans and soccer players.  

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The post Paws to consider: HaPoel Tel Aviv wants to allow guide dogs at Bloomfield appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.