Since 1979, House of Wheels has been providing enrichment and social programming for children and young adults with physical disabilities in Israel. With programs offered in 6 branches nationwide, House of Wheels has approximately 500 participants and an equal number of volunteers representing all sectors – geographic, religious, socio-economic – of Israeli society. What We Do Each House of Wheels branch serves as a home away from home for its participants, with many attending programs from age 8 all the way through adulthood, and volunteers who also committed for many years. The continuum of programs that we provide ensures that our participants receive the skills and tools they need depending on their age and stage of life. What begins as a purely fun and social experience for younger children grows into a focus on life skills and learning to be independent, all developed to serve the unique needs of people with physical disabilities. The core programs offered at each branch include: Weekend groups in which participants aged 8-18 spend one weekend a month together with their age group over a period of 10 years. The highlight of the year for each of these groups is a 5-day 4-night summer camp full of exciting activities and adventures; The Rolling Forward leadership training program for older teenagers focusing on life skills and personal growth in preparation for transitions into adulthood; and a young adults program for those aged 19+ who need additional support and guidance as they strive for autonomous living. Several branches also offer weekday after-school enrichment activities, and our main branch in Herzliya runs a day center for adults with complex physical disabilities. Finally, four graduates of House of Wheels created and run a social enterprise called The Rolling Experience, an experiential workshop in which participants learn firsthand what it means to live with physical disabilities.
