Israel to Open its First College for Autistic Students
Source: Times of Israel
Israel’s first college aimed specifically at students with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and complex learning disabilities is set to open in March 2016. According to the NRG news website, the BE Academic College will be a collaboration between Beit Ekstein, an organization that provides services to people with a variety of learning and developmental disabilities, and the Open University, a distance-learning institution with branches throughout the country. The new institution will be housed at Beit Ekstein’s campus in Givatayim, a suburb of Tel Aviv. It will offer three interdisciplinary tracks meant to prepare its target population for the workforce. The programs announced by the academy are psychology and education, economics and computer science, and psychology and communications.
One of the features of the new college will be the elimination of admissions requirements, giving those with learning and developmental disabilities the chance to begin studying for a degree without preconditions.
In addition to offering students specialized instruction in their fields of study, the programs will also provide career workshops and guidance in planning for the outside world. In addition, students will get support for their emotional and social needs.
Upon completion of the four-year programs, students will receive a degree from the Open University of Israel, an officially accredited institution by the Israel Council for Higher Education.