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OUR PROGRAMS ý

Many social agencies work with those who are severely afflicted with a variety of health problems. However there are few if any programs that are offered to those who are only vision impaired. For that reason Dr. Yael Ben Dor of blessed memory began providing programs for the vision impaired in Safed, in 1976

One of the major philosophies behind Beit Yael’s work is that the vision impaired must be comfortable in their own environment in spite of their limitations. They must understand how their habits and body language either allow or prohibit them from being fully integrated into a visual society.

This knowledge when coupled with empowering rehabilitation enables them to function effectively by instilling in them the motivation to achieve their ambitions and to cope with all aspects of their lives. During all our programs participants with vision problems are taught to manage their own lives independently.

We are willing to work with those who come to us with special difficulties and/or special needs. For this reason our basic programs are constantly being enhanced with new activities and projects. The following information illustrates some of Beit Yael’s programs that are available for both children and adults.


SENIOR'S CLUBý

While there are many senior's programs available in Safed the only one for the vision impaired is held here at Beit Yael. The thirty five seniors currently attending this program are all certified as vision impaired. In this way we are able to facilitate the social integration of vision impaired seniors, one of the most important features of this program.

Some of our participants have total vision impairment while others have vision problems mainly related to aging. With over 150 blind and vision-impaired adults in Safed, we are always reaching out to offer our services. We request input and welcome suggestions for interesting programs

Offering a regular outlet for their energies provides participants with friends and the ability to learn to do new things, meet new people, and visit new places. Their creativity is very evident: were it not for Beit Yael’s programs, many would be confined to their homes. One of our regular participants was at home for ten years before we began to pick her up and bring her to the programs. Here she learned to use a white cane enabling her to leave her home safely. She was able to be with people and do many things where as before she had been confined to her home.

Among the main activities offered are:
  • handwork
  • sewing
  • current events
  • outings such as tours to the local tombs of our sages
  • painting
  • games
  • lectures
  • yoga and other physical exercises

Our ambitions for this group include visits to two local health facilities located in Israel’s north. Both Hamat Gader and Tiberias are about an hour’s drive from Safed. Both places have hot mineral springs, which offer a positive healing effect on those who come to bathe there.

A dip in the thermo-mineral pool relaxes tense muscles and is particularly helpful to those who suffer from pains in their joints. In addition, the heat of the water expands peripheral blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and increasing the heart rate. It is said that ten minutes of relaxation in the hot pool of Hamat Gader is equal to the physical exercise one gets while walking briskly for three kilometers.

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SUMMER CAMPS


For over 30 years Beit Yael has been sponsoring Summer Study Camps for blind and visually impaired children mainly between the ages of 9 – 18 during July and August when they are on school vacations. Our camps – as all of our services and programs - are open to Israel’s general public. Children including Christian, Moslem, Arab, Druse, Ethiopian, along with Jewish children come from all over the country. This provides their families with some respite in taking care of them.

Since the inception of our program, over 1,500 youngsters have enjoyed their school vacations here. These summer camps provide a meaningful experience. We accept everyone who is sightless or poor-sighted, those who can pay full tuition and those who cannot pay at all. Young people who might previously have been kept secluded at home now have a place to go where they can meet their contemporaries who share the same problems.

Many children have grown up with us as they have attended our camps every summer. As adults they continue to come to us for programs that we hold specifically for them. The friendships that are made here last a lifetime.


Camp Activities
Camps are usually held from Sunday to Thursday. We offer the same variety of regular camp activities - depending on the ages of the campers as are offered to sighted children. Our program may include:

  • computer classes
  • therapeutic horseback riding
  • outings to The Kinneret
  • jeep tours
  • swimming in our local pools
  • berry picking in season
  • kayaking at Kfar Bloom
  • nature hikes
  • yoga
  • other sports
  • crafts
  • picnics

All our activities are specifically arranged for each age group and are made pleasurable and comfortable. Some of our camps have also offered study sessions in order to help the students with their schoolwork. During the summer of 2004 we were requested to add extra classes in English. Our fully equipped computer room also facilitates our ability to teach and/or upgrade camper’s computer skills.

Our young campers have gone on to higher academic studies, to professions, to the army, to national service and to other endeavors. All have become useful and productive and have learned to maintain a good quality of life.

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RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM


More than 150 individuals have participated in the program since it began in 1991. Israel’s Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and Migdal Or co-sponsor this program. Migdal Or supplies the teachers.

This unique program, the only one in all of Israel, focuses on teaching adults of working ages, who are either newly blind or who are becoming blind, how to cope physically, psychologically and emotionally with this new situation that is taking over their lives.

Here in our month long program, they are helped to adjust to this new disability. This program has offered a positive rehabilitation experience for both men and women as they learn to re-evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Many special speakers are brought in to tell them of their options in both job and social service areas.

After the program they are able to return home with a structured plan to continue their rehabilitation process. From time to time the graduates of this program come together for 'keep up' sessions.


Participants receive training enabling them to function both at home and at work. They learn:

  • to use their white cane
  • therapeutic horseback riding
  • to use computers and Braille materials
  • lectures and guest speakers
  • exercise programs including yoga
  • learning about other aids for the blind and vision impaired
  • to cook, to sew, handicrafts and games
  • they also participate socially as they go on trips around the North


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VACATION/LEARNING CAMPS

Vacation/learning camps have offered organized groups of sightless and poor-sighted adults from Blind Centers around Israel the opportunity of spending vacations in specially organized programs. Their activities include:


This has been one of our most popular programs as vision handicapped people come from all over the country to attend. Camps are held from June to October. They are booked well ahead and very well attended.

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SPECIAL SERVICES


The Computer Lab

Our computer lab offers a wide variety of special equipment. Readers and screens of various sizes are used by those with various vision problems as is our translation program. This program translates any written document into either spoken Hebrew or English. We empower the vision impaired to become proficient in their use of computer equipment.

One of our student groups began their own magazine using the Braillex. We have offered computer classes in conjunction with our local community college. As new improvements are being made constantly in the computer world, we must often upgrade our equipment in order to serve our participants.



The Gym

Beit Yael's gym is used by:



Yoga and other fitness programs are offered in all our programs. Those who participate in our activities use our facility even when there are no specific programs in session. As our exercise equipment was old and out of date, a recent donation has allowed us to renovate the gym and purchase many new pieces of equipment.


Horseback Riding


Participants in Beit Yael's programs, whether they are fully blind or only partially sighted take part in our therapeutic riding program.ý Young and old alike find this a most enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Specially trained therapists facilitate this vital part of our rehabilitation process.

The scenery around Safed is so breathtaking that a ride through the local forests can truly be a magical experience even for those who are vision impaired. They are able to make use of their other senses, especially their senses of smell and hearing. They truly enjoy the experience of being outdoors in the hilly forested areas near Safed.ý

This program is incorporated into all our overnight programs for children and adults alike regardless of their ages or sight limitations. Since it was first held many years ago at Amuka, a small village just outside of Safed it too has become one of our most requested events by all our participants.







For more information on any of these as well as some additional programs, please contact Beit Yael.

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