Knesset Seeks to Hire Handicapped

The Knesset is looking to hire – specifically, individuals with special needs, especially cognitive or other brain-related conditions. Knesset director general Albert Sacharovich issued the tender for several dozen new workers with special needs to be integrated into the Knesset staff. They will join about two dozen other Knesset workers, including several diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Among the jobs being advertised are an assistant secretary for a Knesset committee, an assistant plenum supervisor and assistant messengers. The applicants will fill out a special version of the standard Knesset job application, which will include simpler terms and language to enable those with cognitive difficulties to more easily fill them out.

Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein said that he “felt a great sense of pride when I look at the work of Knesset members with handicaps. I believe in the success of this project, which has received a great deal of positive feedback. I hope that this program will be an impetus for other organizations to follow in our footsteps.”