Before Israel voted on Tuesday, the nonprofit Israel Elwyn made sure its community could vote too, JNS reports. The organization serves more than 5,700 people with disabilities in Israel, and its staff worked to ensure they could take part fully and knowledgeably in the general election.

The right is clear in Israeli law. According to an Israeli government website quoted by JNS, "Each citizen has a right to vote, and of course, all citizens with all types of disabilities, including wards to whom a guardian was appointed, and legally incapacitated persons are entitled to elect to the Knesset."

Racheli Kaplan, Israel Elwyn's director of recreation and community services for the Supported Living Program, told JNS that people are sometimes "amazed by the idea" that people with disabilities vote, asking, "How can they vote?!" Her answer was practice. All 250 members of the Elwyn Supported Living Program were invited to two preparatory sessions. The first introduced key concepts: voting, government, political parties and the role of the prime minister.

The second session gave accessible information in simplified language about voting options, practical training in identifying the ballot slip for their preferred party, and a chance to practice with a mock ballot box. Photos shared by Israel Elwyn show members casting practice ballots on October 25, two days before the real vote.

Israel Elwyn's Supported Living Services provide housing and support for adults aged 21 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities, JNS reports. The apartments, in Jerusalem and Herzliya, house two to six residents each. A little practice, and a vote cast with confidence, like every other citizen.