A new report by the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute reveals that since the outbreak of the “Iron Swords” war, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people with disabilities seeking medical services and social assistance.
More than 70,000 victims of hostilities and 18,000 new IDF disabled veterans have joined the health system — leading to significant pressure on health, rehabilitation, and mental support services.
Gaps in Health and Accessibility
The data show that people with disabilities consume far more health services than the general population, but their physical and mental health status is significantly lower.
For example, only about half of people with disabilities report good or very good health, compared to a clear majority among people without disabilities. In addition, they visit family doctors and specialists more frequently but use online health fund services less, indicating a deep digital divide.
About 30% of respondents with disabilities reported obesity or overweight — a higher rate than in the general population.
Unprecedented Mental Distress
Since the beginning of the war, there has been a several-hundred-percent increase in calls to mental support hotlines.
The number of applications to the Ministry of Health for mental rehabilitation services rose by about 70%, and more than 12,000 people applied for permanent disability due to psychological reasons. Alongside this, 6,400 soldiers and civilians requested recognition for mental conditions from the Ministry of Defense.
Brookdale researchers express concern that people with disabilities may not receive optimal care due to the heavy burden on the mental health system since the war’s outbreak.
Families Bear the Burden
Family members caring for a person with a disability report worsening financial, emotional, and social conditions, and an increasing sense of loneliness.
Caregivers reported a sharp decline in community connections and prolonged emotional exhaustion. Women, Arabs, and primary caregivers were found to be particularly vulnerable.
More than two-thirds of caregivers admitted they did not receive assistance or practical information in real time, and many had to cope alone with the closure of educational frameworks, shortages of nursing caregivers, and growing daily support needs.
Emergency Challenges – From Protection to Information
The report describes a series of systemic failures that recur in every emergency situation:
• Protection and mobility: Shortage of accessible shelters, difficulty reaching protected spaces, lack of suitable equipment.
• Shortage of manpower: Dramatic rise in demand for social workers, caregivers, and professionals.
• Lack of coordination and closed services: Discontinuation of educational frameworks for children and adults with disabilities and the absence of alternative solutions.
• Information and rights gaps: Lack of accessible information in real time, especially for people with sensory or cognitive disabilities.
• Increased emotional distress: Rise in anxiety events, PTSD, and stress reactions.
What Works – and What Needs to Change
Researchers note that local initiatives have proven successful: A single professional “contact point” for families, direct and ongoing contact with staff members, collaboration between authorities and NGOs, and activation of online frameworks during physical shutdowns.
The report’s recommendations include:
• Appointing a permanent professional “emergency liaison” for every family with a person with a disability;
• Rapid activation of educational and employment frameworks even in times of emergency;
• Developing tailored emotional support solutions;
• Reducing gaps in peripheral areas;
• Providing accessible, multi-channel information (including languages, signs, and assistive technologies).
When emergency becomes routine — accessible and stable services are not a privilege but a national infrastructure. To protect the most vulnerable people in society, Israel must move from ad-hoc responses to permanent systemic planning — one that ensures no person with a disability is left behind, even in times of war.
This report will be presented for the first time at the “Promoting Tomorrow” conference, initiated by Beit Issie Shapiro, which will focus on accessible health services in emergencies for people with disabilities, challenges, and solutions. The conference, hosted by Linoy Bar-Geffen, will take place on November 5 at Beit Issie Shapiro. To register – click here.