Normally, a week’s notice is required to find an interpreter. In this case, Chaim worked wonders – he managed to find an appropriate, available, local interpreter who could do the job and she too sprang into action. She went immediately to meet with the Deaf man and accompanied him in the ambulance from the city he lives in to the hospital in another city. From 8:00 pm until 2:00 am she stayed by his side, enabling him to receive all the information about the transplant and the risks involved, to answer his questions and concerns which ultimately allowed the operation to take place. Later that morning she was back – from 7:00 am to noon continuing to interpret for him and for his deaf wife as well.

For this Deaf man, who had waited over two years for an appropriate kidney to be available, this service meant the difference, literally, between life and death. His situation had deteriorated to a critical point, and the transplant, which was successful, came just in time.

Events like this are just one facet of the institute’s government awarded mission to provide support services for all Deaf and hard of hearing Israelis.  Services facilitated include Israeli Sign Language interpreting, computer assisted note-taking and reimbursement for the purchase of vital equipment. Practically speaking, this means that all Deaf or hard of hearing Israelis who need (and are entitled to) interpreters for any purpose, contact Chaim and he matches them up with an interpreter. The volume of requests is staggering – in 2009 there were over seven thousand requests. Interestingly, about a third of these interpreting assignments met needs in the field of access to health care. From 2008 to 2009 there was a 40% increase in the number of interpretations. There was also an increase in the number of requests for equipment.

* A capital D for Deaf indicates that the man is culturally Deaf and is a sign language user.

The goals of the Institute are to improve the quality of life of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in education, both as receivers and as providers and to enable deaf and hard-of-hearing Israelis to live independent and productive lives with full access to the types of services and opportunities already available to the hearing population. In order to meet these goals the Institute initiates, develops and runs a wide range of projects.

The Institute for the Advancement of Deaf Persons in Israel was established in 1993 by a group of professionals in the field and others for whom this subject is very dear. Their goal was to work in the areas that are not being served and to progress and improve the existing field. Today the Institute provides professional, educational and rehabilitation services to deaf and hard of hearing children, youth and adults in Israel (of which there are approximately 10,0000 deaf people alone).

Our Activities and Current Programs include:

Deaf Mentor Program: A group role model program for deaf children.

Support Services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in institutions of higher education.

The Road to Economic Independence: Enabling Deaf and Hard of hearing Individuals to Join the Work Force

The Sela Center for Support Services: We are the official national provider of the government granted sign Language interpreting, computer assisted note-taking and the provision of equipment to which deaf and hard of hearing Israelis are entitled.

Deaf Children At Risk: A program to identify and work with deaf children who are potentially in situations at risk of abuse.

A Pioneering Storytelling Group of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people

The Sela Information Center that specifically addresses the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing youth and adults.

Deaf Jewish Heritage: Seminars to focus on modern Jewish history and fostering a Jewish Deaf identity with learning about Jewish Heritage.