January 13, 2025 – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has unveiled the newly renovated Learning Center for the Blind, a pioneering initiative dedicated to supporting blind and visually impaired students who study at the University. The center operates on the Mount Scopus campus, with an extension at the Edmond J. Safra Campus (Givat Ram) and services for students on the Rehovot campus.

Established in 1996, the center has been a cornerstone of empowerment for students with visual impairments, ensuring equal access to education, integration into society, and workforce entry. The center will now accommodate 130 students across all faculties and 30 additional students in pre-academic programs. An impressive 70% of the center’s graduates successfully integrate into the job market, excelling in fields such as education, social work, medicine, pharmacy, and agriculture.

“The Learning Center for the Blind embodies the Hebrew University’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for all,” said Moshe Oved, Director of the Learning Center for the Blind. “This renewal reaffirms our dedication to fostering a supportive environment for students with visual impairments, enabling them to achieve their academic and personal goals.”

One of the center’s distinctive features of the center is its inclusive approach, with 37% of students from the Arab sector, a significant representation compared to the general student population. This reflects the center’s commitment to addressing unique challenges and fostering diversity.

The ceremony took place on January 1, at the Mount Scopus campus, just in advance of International Braille Day on January 4—a global event celebrating the importance of Braille as a means of communication for the blind and visually impaired. This timing underscores the center’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, aligning its mission with the broader global effort to promote the rights and opportunities of the visually impaired community.

Students benefit from a range of services, including academic support, employment preparation, dormitory living, and job search workshops. The Learning Center for the Blind features:

• Advanced assistive technologies, such as screen-reading software and magnification tools.
• An academic library featuring Braille, recordings, and magnification equipment.
• Assistance with exams through readers, transcribers, or computers.
• Courses on assistive devices, mobility, and orientation.
• Guidance for navigating university campuses with trained guides.
• Individual study rooms and fully equipped workstations.

The center operates in collaboration with Hebrew University with the support of the Association for the Advancement of Blind Students in Israel, the National Insurance Institute’s Disability Services Development Fund, and generous donors, including Aryeh Zahavi, a donor from Switzerland, and contributions from a bequest fund.