Giving Every Student the Opportunity to Study

A TAU program offers students with disabilities alternatives to inaccessible admissions requirements

By Ruth Fertig

F or recent TAU graduate Liron Shazifi, navigating the higher education system wasn’t easy due to his cerebral palsy. Indeed, Liron didn’t even consider getting a degree until he discovered TAU’s TzavTA program—the only one of its kind in the country that offers students with disabilities or neurodiverse needs the opportunity, resources, and tools to be accepted and fully integrated into their chosen study track.

Liron finished his studies in Education and Humanities last year and hopes to go on to work with other disabled students to help them realize their potential. Unfortunately, this potential is often stopped in its tracks because university acceptance involves requirements that are inaccessible to those with certain disabilities.

Together at TAU

A play on a Hebrew word for “together” with Tel Aviv’s initials incorporated, TzavTA is a year-long program that provides classes on navigating the academic environment, group counseling, and one-on-one academic advisors. Students also begin taking classes in their major and are admitted by a special committee based on their success.

Though TzavTA does require a high school diploma, it does not reject lower grades since they often do not reflect disabled students’ actual abilities.

Paving His Own Path

Dor Dougma is a recent graduate of the TzavTA preparatory year and a current TAU student. Dor, who is on the autism spectrum, studies Political Science and Communications because he hopes to become a politician. He loves that TAU has introduced him to people who challenge him and how his classes help him understand the world, especially the political world, more clearly.

For Dor, TzavTA was a crucial stepping stone to beginning his career. “I don’t want special treatment or hand-holding. TzavTA gave me the guidance and direction I needed, and now I can do it on my own.”

Struggling to Expand

According to director Prof. Navah Ratzon, who also heads the Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions, TzavTA can accommodate twelve students per year, but usually only draws between five to ten participants. This is partially because it has almost no budget at all, let alone one for marketing: the program receives free office services from the Occupational Therapy Department and students pay only a nominal fee; most staff are volunteers.

TzavTA has helped around 40 students become full-fledged degree candidates and continues to offer some support throughout their studies. Dor notes that the staff’s door is always open if he needs help, and he is still in touch with friends from his cohort. “It’s a very challenging program,” says Liron, “but it is accepting of everyone and is truly valuable for anyone who is worried about having trouble in their degree.”