Volunteer Initiative Helps Elderly and Disabled Vote
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
An Israeli volunteer initiative, "Election Companions," has recruited over 6,000 people to help elderly and disabled citizens reach polling stations on election day. Co-founded by Adi Israeli and Yael Ben-Ner, the non-partisan project aims to ensure democratic participation for vulnerable populations. Volunteers receive training on assisting people with disabilities, and the initiative hopes to foster empathy and intergenerational connection, while also advocating for government responsibility in providing such services.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Over 6,000 volunteers have joined the "Election Companions" initiative to help voters on election day.
- The project assists elderly citizens and people with disabilities in reaching polling stations.
- Adi Israeli and Yael Ben-Ner co-founded the non-partisan volunteer effort.
- The initiative emphasizes accessibility to polling stations, not just the stations themselves.
- Volunteers receive training on assisting people with disabilities.
- Organizers hope the project fosters empathy and intergenerational understanding.
A grassroots initiative called "Election Companions" has mobilized over 6,000 volunteers to help elderly citizens and people with disabilities reach polling stations on election day. The project was initiated by Adi Israeli, 29, a literature student, who was motivated by reports that polling stations would not be placed in nursing homes due to political pressure. "I understood that a large and vulnerable population would be prevented from exercising a democratic right," Israeli stated. She initially expected to find about 100 volunteers but was overwhelmed by the response.
Yael Ben-Ner, 52, a former councilwoman in Hod HaSharon, joined Israeli to manage the project. Ben-Ner, who has a disability herself, highlighted that while polling stations may be accessible, the journey to them is often the main obstacle for individuals with mobility challenges. The initiative aims to provide assistance to anyone in need, regardless of their political affiliation, emphasizing its non-partisan nature.
To ensure safety and professionalism, volunteers undergo vetting, sign election integrity declarations, and are prohibited from displaying political symbols or discussing political preferences. Drivers are required to have valid licenses and clean driving records. The project has partnered with the "Accessibility for Israel" organization to provide training on how to assist individuals with various disabilities respectfully and effectively.
Israeli and Ben-Ner hope the initiative will not only facilitate voting but also foster empathy and understanding between different segments of society. "Every volunteer assisting a person with a disability will experience life as a person with a disability for a moment," Israeli explained. Ben-Ner believes at least 10,000 people nationwide require their assistance and expressed a desire for the government to adopt and expand such a program, as it is fundamentally a state responsibility.
Israeli, who was also involved in organizing memorial events for victims of the October 7th attacks, sees this project as embodying her vision for Israel: solidarity, mutual responsibility, and intergenerational connection.
