The Purple Vest Mission
The Purple Vest Mission is an initiative which promotes accessibility, preparedness and response in times of emergency for people with disabilities and the elderly. The Purple Vest Mission was initiated on March 2022 by Access Israel with the collaborative assistance of Accessibility Accelerator. We were boots on the ground in a refugee center in Poland and over a period of a year, we evacuated over 4500 people with severe disabilities and many more elderly. Additionally we assisted over 10,000 people who sheltered in place in Ukraine.
As leaders of accessibility and inclusion, we are very experienced and active in shaping the preparedness of Israel in times of emergency making sure people with disabilities and elderly are not left behind. We have led round tables with stakeholders to understand challenges, needs and possible solutions and conducted training various stakeholders for preparedness in time of emergency and with being part of the advanced legislation process resulting in regulations on preparedness in times of emergency.
WHY PURPLE? Purple-lit buildings illuminated many cities on December 3, in commemoration of International Day for the Rights of People with Disabilities.
PURPLE VEST MISSION – ISRAEL
October 7, Black Saturday, defiled the lives of the residents of Israel. While the whole country took refuge, it was harder for some to get to safety. Within 90 minutes of the first sirens, our Purple Vest Mission was working to evacuate people with disabilities and the elderly to bring them to safer and more accessible areas.
The Purple Vest Mission is an initiative of our cherished partner, Access Israel, with the collaborative support of Accessibility Accelerator. Humbly, we have helped thousands of lives since that terrible Saturday. Our efforts were focused wherever help was needed, including outside the Gaza and Nothern envelopes that were hit hard like Bat Yam and Ashkelon.
Our work is nonstop; we continue to evacuate people with disabilities, the elderly, and their families who live in cities or villages under missile attacks. Each person has unique needs, and we do our utmost to accommodate them.
We are blessed to have trained over 750+ volunteers on how to provide accessible humanitarian aid during times of war and emergency. These remarkable volunteers, now proudly wearing purple vests, come from all parts of Israel and are ready at a moment’s notice to assist in accessible aid or the simple yet essential call to say, “I care!”
Our Purple Vest volunteers are in touch with each person we have evacuated weekly, to check on their wellbeing and bring them to medical visits, and provide for them while they live in temporary housing. Fortunately, some people have returned home. The support continues as needed to ensure they are OK. We also work with them to create accessible shelters and find ways to motivate children with cognitive challenges to proceed to their safe spaces quickly.
Access Israel and Accessibility Accelerator’s Purple Vest Mission, with the assistance of collaborative partners, is one of Israel’s ONLY organizations dedicated to every aspect of a person with disabilities, including evacuations during times of emergency. We communicate through our accessible emergency call center, WhatsApp, and designated website.
As the number of people with disabilities has increased substantially, our Purple Vest Mission information and help center and accessible evacuation will continue. Simultaneously, we have created much-needed programs for the years ahead. We have started moving forward with vital initiatives in 2024 and beyond.
Our global group is small, but the varied and indispensable assistance we offer is great. We know that saying yes as often as we do is costly, BUT SAVING A LIFE IS PRICELESS.
As the number of people with disabilities has increased substantially, our Purple Vest Mission information and help center and accessible evacuation will continue. Simultaneously, we have created much-needed programs for the years ahead. We have started moving forward with vital initiatives in 2024 and beyond.