Kesher is Israel’s #1 organization supporting families with special-needs children.  We envision a society where special-needs families live with respect and dignity, strong and empowered. A society that enablesequal access to education, health, employment and well-being.

We represent over 1,500,000 family members and the 320,000 children with special-needs like autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome and genetic diseases and disorders. Special-needs children are often unable to talk, sit or walk, hear or reach normal milestones. They require intensive regular therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and more. They rely on specialized equipment for seating, standing, walking as well as hearing, communicating, toileting and lifting. They undergo regular medical procedures and frequent hospitalization.

Most importantly, they rely on their families for motivation, support and as a safe-haven from their life’s challenges. Raising a child with special-needs creates huge financial and emotional strain on a family; often leading to divorce, bankruptcy, social isolation or worse. Kesher is the only organization that works to ensure every special-needs family is as strong, empowered and informed as they can be.

We help special-needs families by:

Strengthening their legal status in Israeli Law

Assisting their access and use of existing rights

Providing much-needed services to strengthen the family unit

Kesher operates a range of such services for special families, including

Call centers for information, guidance and advocacy

Support and counselling groups for parents, siblings and grandparents

Parenting workshops specific to challenges of raising children with special-needs

‘Special Parents’ Initiators Incubator to empower families in local communities

Parents Leadership programs both in isolated Jewish communities and in Arab villages

Regional Centers for Special Parents directed and maintained by special families

Campaigns for the Special Family on Israel’s Family Day

  ..Training special parents to mentor others and more