Dr. Shimshon Neikrug – Research Consultant, Beit Issie Shapiro
Dr. Dana Roth – Director of Research and Evaluation Unit, Beit Issie Shapiro
Jean Judes – Executive Director, Beit Issie Shapiro
Nuaf Zmiro – Manager of Family Counseling Line, Sindian Center, Beit Issie Shapiro
Families that have children with disabilities face numerous challenges. Arab families in Israel face unique challenges due to their status as a minority group with cultural traditions that differ from those of the predominantly Jewish population. This paper describes their family quality of life (FQOL) as they meet these challenges.

Shosh Kaminsky, M.S.W., Director of Knowledge Management and Social Change,  Beit Issie Shapiro
Einat Noah, student of community work (under the guidance of the director of community work in school social work at Beit Issie Shapiro)
The siblings of children with disabilities come face to face with society’s prevailing stigmas regarding people with disabilities, the result of ignorance, and lack of information and knowledge. The stereotypes and social problems in accepting the other who is different mean that siblings have to cope with the challenges, difficulties, and complex emotional experiences.
The article describes an intervention program in the sibling’s social environment, aimed at empowering them and creating a change in attitudes towards people with difficulties among the children in their social environment.

Lili Levinton – Deputy Director of Professional Services, Beit Issie Shapiro
Family-centered service is a model that recognizes the connection between the well-being of the family and the well-being of the child, and the considerable knowledge that parents have about their child’s capabilities, difficulties, and needs. Therefore, it focuses on developing the strengths and abilities of the child and the family as a whole. The article describes the basic assumptions and central principles of the model.

Lea Stren – Social Worker, Beit Issie Shapiro
Pninit Leibowitz – Music Therapist, Beit Issie Shapiro
This publication relates to programs for brothers and sisters of children with developmental disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy (CP), autism, intellectual disabilities, various syndromes, etc.

Shosh Kaminsky – M.S.W., Director of Knowledge Management and Social Change, Beit Issie Shapiro
Dr. Michele Shapiro – Director of Snoezelen (former), Beit Issie Shapiro
Children with disabilities and special needs can often only dream about playing in a playground.  Park Chaverim, Israel’s first accessible and inclusive playground, Established by Beit Issie Shapiro in 2005,  gives children with disabilities an equal opportunity for recreation and fun. The playground brings children with different ability levels together to teach them how to play and have fun together while raising community awareness about the importance of inclusion.