שתיל - שירותי תמיכה וייעוץ לקידום שינוי חברתי

The five-month long campaign for greater government aid to people with disabilities came to a close last month when the government agreed in writing to meet many of the protesters' demands. Demonstrators living in a tent city opposite the Knesset since June received ongoing guidance from SHATIL advocacy, media and organizational consultants.

"Given the economic situation, our success was amazing," said Simcha Benita, a leader of the protest.

The severely disabled will get additional government allowances which will help them live independent lives by making it easier for them to hire caretakers and to adapt cars for their special needs. The additional sums are meant to cover a rise in the minimum wage as well as in the cost of food and utilities.

"SHATIL was always there for us - even during non office hours," said Benita, who suffers from polio. "We didn't know how to get the media interested, we didn't know how to approach Knesset members - and SHATIL gave us the tools to do so. From deciding on a focus to writing letters and speeches; from mediating disagreements among ourselves to writing slogans and giving us direction and hope when we felt discouraged -- SHATIL was by our side."

SHATIL also helped the protesters network with other social change organizations and recruit them to the effort as well as to relate the struggle to broader issues such as national budget decisions and the problematic Economic Arrangements Law.