Reserve Soldier Denied Exam Accommodations Despite Serving Over 500 Days

Orel Cohen, a reserve soldier who has served more than 500 days since the outbreak of the war, claims the National Center for Examinations and Evaluation (Malav) refuses to grant him accommodations for the Amirnet exam despite presenting a recent diagnosis confirming his lifelong learning disability. Cohen, who has been recognized as having a learning disability throughout his education and received accommodations to complete his matriculation, submitted an updated assessment to Malav when registering for academic studies. However, he was told this was insufficient and was asked to provide documentation from childhood, including old assessments or a letter from his elementary school teacher, which he cannot obtain.

Cohen described the demand as unreasonable, explaining that schools discard such documents after seven years and his teacher has since left. He expressed frustration at the lack of flexibility, especially given his extended reserve service and current military duties, including missions in Lebanon. Despite attempts to escalate the issue, he encountered rigid adherence to procedures without consideration of his circumstances.

Malav responded by emphasizing its respect for IDF soldiers and reservists and its commitment to ensuring their service does not hinder academic opportunities. It clarified that accommodations are granted based on accepted professional criteria and that while there is no strict requirement for a diagnosis before age 12 or a teacher's letter, evidence of childhood difficulties is necessary. In Cohen's case, Malav noted that his submitted diagnosis did not confirm a reading disability and lacked a current professional evaluation for attention deficit disorder, nor childhood symptom documentation. They stated Cohen was informed he could submit additional documents or a personal letter for reconsideration.

Cohen, who recently completed his latest reserve duty, insists he has been wronged and that the accommodations are his legal right. He criticized Malav's approach as dismissive and inflexible, leaving him without the support he believes he deserves.