“We don't care what your disability is. First and foremost, you are a human being.” With these words, Adv. Alumot Or Executive Director Ziv Magor was quoted by Robert Singer in 2015. It represents the guiding philosophy of Alumot Or (“Ray of Light”), an organization that has promoted and implemented innovative projects and programs in special education schools in Israel since its establishment. and Sonia Gomez de Mesquita. The organization's goal is to harness, maximize and expand educational excellence both inside and outside of school, now and in the future. Alumot Or works with students with disabilities, at-risk youth, and disadvantaged populations.
Magor's words are especially timely given that April is World Autism Month, which promotes understanding and advocacy for people with autism and other disabilities. Expanding on this theme, he adds: “All of our programs are based on a person's wishes and needs, not on the type of limitations they have.” To that end, Alumot Or designs educational programs customized to each student's needs. says Magor. Such programs expand students' ability to make choices, with the goal of instilling a sense of worth, competence, and self-respect, and strengthening their self-esteem so that they feel valued in Israeli society.
Another key principle of Alumot Or is its focus on building programs that prepare students with disabilities for adulthood and providing them with greater autonomy for independent decision-making. is. Magor points out that instilling autonomy in children (and adults) with autism and other disabilities requires the involvement of the entire family, including parents, siblings, and grandparents.
He explains that one of the most important areas for fostering independence and autonomy in students is teaching them basic knowledge about financial management and money. Young people with disabilities are often vulnerable to financial exploitation from scammers and have difficulty understanding abstract financial concepts.
Alumot Or collaborated with Discount Bank and Pa'amonim organizations to develop a curriculum for independent financial management that meets the needs of young people with disabilities. This curriculum provides students and youth with disabilities with access to concepts, knowledge, and skills for active financial management. Break down information into smaller, results-oriented pieces and step-by-step students until they have a deeper understanding of financial basics such as making money, understanding money, saving money, managing money, and spending money. can do.
Almot Or supports special education students in 16 educational centers across Israel, nine of which are named after the late Benjamin Rothman. Overall, the organization supports his 1,000 students across the country. The organization combines the knowledge and experience gained from working directly with students with the best academic research and a professional staff of educators and researchers.
The organization's activities are led by leading experts, including senior experts from the Director-General. Ziv Magor, an expert in the field of human rights for people with disabilities, Dr. Shahar Bar Yehuda, former National Autism Advisor at the Israeli Ministry of Education, Dr. Mina Raz, an adult transition expert from Almot Or, and expert Merav M. Mr. Sadovsky Knowledge Development Field Mr. Hillel Hillman, Strategic Advisor to the Executive Director and former Director of the Kadouri Agricultural Youth Village.
Alumot Or has unique expertise in development and specialization in the field of transition to adulthood and autism and is one of the leading organizations in supporting students in the transition to adulthood. This transition is considered one of the most important stages in human development as young people move from a school environment to an environment that includes work and independent living.
Alumot Or provides specialized training to various international organizations including UNESCO, the International Commission on the Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Erasmus, the Human Rights Council, etc.
Click here to learn more about Alumot Or.