Misgeret Shmaya

Shmaya is a non-profit organization, which aims to rehabilitate hearing impaired children and adults. Each year Shmaya treats approximately 500 children - infants to adolescents - mainly from the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum. Shmaya also serves thousands of adults, helping to improve their quality of life, integrate them in society and reach an optimal level of independence. Today, Shmaya operates six centers throughout the country, in Bnei Brak Ramat Gan, El Ad, Tiberias, Safed and Haifa. We run a professionally staffed audio lab, in our Bnei Brak branch, which conducts hundreds of tests a year. Shmaya provides support and counseling by social workers and psychologists; operates rehabilitative day care centers, nurseries and kindergartens, and provides speech therapy, music and occupational therapy. We integrate hearing impaired children in the regular educational frameworks, and provide regular teachers and school staff with training and guidance. Our After School Club program serves children aged 3 -16 We also offer a career training and mentoring program. We have just opened a Translation Unit which provides interpreters to individuals using only sign language to communicate. Shmaya is the only organization for the Hearing Impaired that provides this service, which is overseen by the Ministry of Welfare.