Beit Issie Shapiro Recognized as Leader in the Field of Disabilities with the EASPD Innovation Award
Israel-based disability NGO Beit Issie Shapiro is recognized as leaders in the field by The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD). Europe’s premiere disabilities organization celebrates its 25th anniversary with a slew of activities. They have selected Israel-based disabilities organization, Beit Issie Shapiro, to be an active part of the festivities including participation in the 25th anniversary conference, prizing a prestigious Innovation Award and including the Israeli organization’s activities in a celebratory booklet featuring innovations in the field of disabilities.
Israel-based disability organization Beit Issie Shapiro has been awarded the Innovation Award for Early Intervention by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), an umbrella organization made up of 17,000 disability service providers, in celebration of the EASPD’s 25th anniversary.
This award recognizes Beit Issie Shapiro’s work in changing the field of early intervention in Israel by promoting legislation for toddlers and children with disabilities, so that anyone needing these services is entitled to them, and the services are funded by the government. This innovative approach empowers parents of children with disabilities take part in the legislative process by attending parliamentary discussions and working directly with government officials and legislators.
Serving as a pioneering leader and innovator in the field of disabilities, Beit Issie Shapiro works to create a more inclusive society across the globe by advancing the rights, equal opportunity and top services for children and adults with disabilities. One of organization’s core focuses is on Assistive Technology; finding ways to properly utilize technological solutions to advance the abilities and quality of life for people with disabilities.
The EASPD presented the award to Beit Issie Shapiro as they commemorate their silver anniversary with an international conference The Future is Now: Person Centered Technology to Empower People and Disability Services. The conference, which took place October 13-14 in Belgium, was planned in consultation with Beit Issie Shapiro, as part of the preparation advisory committee.
During the two-day conference, Noa Nitzan, Director of Beit Issie Shapiro’s Technology Center was selected to participate as the only Israeli organization among other note-worthy European disability leaders on a panel where she spoke on how technology allows for play and recreation for children and adults with disabilities.
Beit Issie Shapiro was represented in the EASPD’s anniversary booklet on innovative practices for their creation of a virtual kindergarten and school during the COVID-19 lockdown. The video lessons, which were posted in Hebrew and Arabic on YouTube, have been viewed 189,000+ times and counting by children of all abilities in Israel and around the world.
Noa Nitzan, Director of Beit Issie Shapiro’s Technology Center explains the significance of Beit Issie Shapiro being a part of the EASPD 25th anniversary celebrations “It is a true honor that we are able to take part and be on such a central platform that is the European leader in disabilities. Beit Issie Shapiro being selected with multiple honors in celebration of the EASPD’s special milestone speaks to the magnitude of Beit Issie Shapiro’s significant standing in the field of disabilities.”
