Jewish National Fund Lunch and Learn: Solutions for Inclusion in the Israel Defense Forces

In Israel, the vast majority of typical high school graduates serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A new program was created to help the IDF include thousands of young people with cerebral palsy, autism, and intellectual disabilities who contribute and play a role in IDF. “Special in Uniform” is a very unique program, now operating in partnership with Jewish National Fund (JNF), integrating young people with autism and other disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and, in turn, into Israeli society. Its core belief is that everyone belongs and has the right to reach his or her full potential. Special in Uniform focuses on the unique talents of each individual participant to help them find a job within the IDF that is a perfect fit for their skills and in helping keep Israel safe and secure.

About Tiran Attia: Lt. Col. (Res.) Tiran Attia serves as Director of Special in Uniform, an innovative program that aims to integrate young people with autism and other disabilities into the IDF and, in turn, into Israeli society. After their service, Special in Uniform helps usher its graduates toward a self-sufficient life, through employment or other meaningful societal involvement, once they are discharged from the army. Over the course of his distinguished 28-year career in the Israel Defense Forces, Lt. Col. Attia commanded a tank, the IDF’s Technology and Logistics Forces training program, and the Sar-El program for army volunteers from around the world.