On November 14th 2011 the Israel Education Summit took place, where 1400 high-school teachers attended. During the summit Access Israel, in conjunction with Microsoft, set up stations for the teachers to experience various disabilities
The stations were set up as a project under the slogan “Understand via Experience” allowing the teachers to experience for a moment what a person with a disability feels and thus better understand them.
The Experience Stations included: blindfolded ice-cream taste testing, a simple obstacle course in a wheel chair, a fascinating introduction to the world of Sign Language with Sami Siroha, attempting basic actions with movement inhibiting gloves and an introduction to cognitive disablities.
Beside each station Microsoft Israel has set up their own stations showcasing applications in tools the company offers to the public that promote accessibility for various disabilities. It also shows how daily programs and applications by Microsoft already incorporate accessibility options.
Mr. Gideon Sa’ar, the Minister of Education, took part in the project and experienced for a brief moment the life of a disabled person as he tried the wheel chair obstacle course.
