There is always someone who will listen to you, you just have to find him"

International Day of Persons with Disabilities falls each year on December 3rd and is dedicated to promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

 Mor Lavie is a student who is about to start his second year of undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Technology Management. 

Mor is 28 years old, lives in Holon and suffers from arthritis. "It's usually stress related, where the joints might swell and hurt during the day," says Mor, joking that in every class he checks out to see where the air conditioner vent is directed at and where the cold air comes out from because cold can worsen his pains.

 The disease broke out in 2002 and since then: "It started when I was in second grade and already then, I was hospitalized for three months. Since then I have been balanced with medications, but it is still more difficult in the winter," says Mor, adding that he has a certain stiffness in his joints that makes it difficult for him to write and walk.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease that particularly affects the joints and causes their destruction. The disease is characterized by multi-articular, peripheral, and symmetrical inflammation, often combined with systemic damage outside the joints. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown, but the common assumption attributes this disease to various genetic factors combined with environmental influences.

Mor began his studies at HIT about two years ago in the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Technology Management and was accompanied by the Dean of Students’ team. "When I started my studies at the institute, I didn't know what I was entitled to as a student with a disability, and I was indeed surprised to discover all the adjustments that could be made. One of the things that helped me the most was the learning strategy course that the Dean of Students office gave in collaboration with the Feuerstein Institute, which helped me improve my way of study" says Mor.
 
As part of HIT’s overall concept of providing an equal opportunity in acquiring higher education, the Center for Student Advancement operates at HIT under the Dean of Students’ Office. 
The center focuses on the unique needs of students with special needs; students with learning disabilities and students with disabilities such as hearing impairments, visual impairments, mental disabilities, disabilities due to chronic diseases, new immigrants, pregnant students, etc., while providing an individual solution to every one.

"I started my studies with a general feeling of not belonging but little by little I realized and learned that it is possible. I don't give up neither on myself nor on my dreams," says Mor who adds that his dream is to pursue a Master's Degree in organizational consulting and even become a practitioner at the institute in the future. When asked about a message he would like to convey to other students with disabilities, Mor replied instantly: "Don't give up! Sometimes it seems the easiest especially if you have a disability, but don't do it! When you look around, you’ll always find someone who will listen and help."

“These days, the Dean of Students Office established together with the director of the Center for Student Advancement, Michal Zecharia and the team of counselors at the center, a mental support center that from the first day of the “Iron Swords “war helps students deal with anxieties and concerns, due to the war events. They provide students with a wide range of solutions to strengthen their resilience and provide them with tools to deal with this challenging time. 

We are also planning workshops for learning strategies to help the new students move to effective learning, says the Dean of Students, Dr. Limor Sahar Inbar.