Ulpan for New Immigrants

Adjusting to Israeli society – a challenge for any immigrant – is especially difficult for deaf-blind olim (immigrants). They cannot study in regular ulpan (Hebrew language) classes and do not have access to sources of information and acculturation that most immigrants take for granted – such as television and radio, army service, and conversation with neighbors, salespeople, clerks and others.

To help deaf-blind immigrants integrate into Israeli society, the Deaf-Blind Center runs a special ulpan that teaches Hebrew, Israeli Sign Language and Hebrew Braille in one-on-one sessions. Transportation is provided as necessary and studies are tailored to meet the specific needs of each new immigrant, most of whom arrive in Israel from the former Soviet Union. More than 70 olim have studied in the ulpan to date.