Following the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman, all the permits for the operation of the elevator were granted and it began to operate to the satisfaction of the home's residents, their families and the staff at the home
Two brothers of a woman with severe physical disabilities who is confined to a wheelchair claimed that at the home for people with severe physical disabilities, where she lives, there is an elevator that is suitable for a wheelchair, which had been installed about two years ago so that the residents could move about the home, but it had never been operated. The brothers noted that this was a two-floor building, and every time there is a need to move the residents from floor to floor, this is done manually and with great difficulty. The home is under the supervision of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, and the Government Housing Administration is responsible for the management of the building where the home is located.
The Office of the Ombudsman contacted the Government Housing Administration in order to advance the operation of the elevator. The Housing Administration replied that it was necessary to obtain various permits in order to operate the elevator, and therefore its operation had been delayed. Representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman toured the site and met with all the relevant parties for the purpose of speeding up the handling of the matter and removing the bureaucratic blocks to the operation of the elevator.
Following the intervention of the Office of the Ombudsman, all the permits for the operation of the elevator were granted and it began to operate to the satisfaction of the home's residents, their families and the staff at the home.
The brothers who filed the complaint sent an emotional letter to the employee at the Office of the Ombudsman who had investigated the matter and wished to convey their profound thanks and appreciation of his actions, by virtue of which the elevator had begun to operate and all the residents could be moved around quickly, safely and accessibly. The brothers added that already at the Hanukkah party the residents had begun to use the elevator, and this made life easier for them and their carers, and contributed to the residents' safety, convenience and dignity.
