A Dominican-born US citizen calls on Israel’s expertise in inclusion and innovation to help empower mothers of children with special needs in developing nations. When systems fail, the most vulnerable, global partnerships—not promises—must become the path forward.

In countries where legal frameworks exist but don’t translate into everyday reality, the burden of care often falls on those least equipped to handle it alone. For mothers of children with special needs in the Dominican Republic, that burden isn’t just theoretical—it is daily, relentless, and mostly unsupported by the systems meant to help them.

I write not only as a Dominican-born mother but also as a US citizen who has experienced the contrast between a system that, despite its flaws, operates under the rule of law and one where laws exist but are often left unfulfilled. That contrast is not just academic. It is personal.

In the United States, I have faced discrimination and civil rights challenges while advocating for my daughter. Yet even amid these struggles, a system exists that provides accountability, legal options, and the chance for correction.

In the Dominican Republic, that system does not work the same for many families. While legislation addressing autism and disability rights has been introduced in recent years, implementation remains inconsistent, and critical gaps persist. Mental health coverage is limited. Access to therapies often depends on private resources or nonprofit organizations. For low-income families, this creates a reality in which care is not guaranteed but........

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