Article 16 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
المادة 16 من نظام حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة · الباب الثالث: الدعم الاجتماعي والاقتصادي
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to obtain prosthetic and assistive devices and medical aids according to their condition, and leaves the lists of devices, the mechanism for providing them and each body's responsibility to the Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحق للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحصول على الأجهزة التعويضية والمساعدة والمعينات الطبية بحسب الحالة الصحية ومتطلبات الإعاقة. وتضع اللائحة قوائم بتلك الأجهزة وآلية صرفها ومسؤولية كل جهة من الجهات المعنية.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 16 explained in plain English
This article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to obtain three types of tools:
- Prosthetic devices.
- Assistive devices.
- Medical aids.
This right is tied to two criteria: the person's health condition and the requirements of the disability. It does not mean that every person gets every device, but what their condition and disability call for.
The article refers three basic matters to the Regulations:
- Drawing up lists of those devices.
- Setting the mechanism for providing them.
- Setting each body's responsibility among the relevant bodies.
In practice, anyone who wants to know which device they are entitled to, the body to apply to and the steps for obtaining it should refer to the Regulations, because the article itself does not name devices, does not say whether they are provided free of charge or for a fee, and does not specify the competent body.
This article comes after Article 15 on social support services for persons with disabilities and their families, and before Article 17, which provides that the State bears the customs duties and taxes imposed on tools and devices for persons with disabilities, according to a list issued by the Authority.
Anyone who requested a device and was not provided with it can consult a lawyer specializing in the rights of persons with disabilities or in administrative cases.
Practical example
Saad lost his leg in an accident and needs a prosthetic limb. Article 16 gives him the right to obtain prosthetic devices according to his health condition and the requirements of his disability, and the Regulations should be consulted for the lists of devices, the mechanism for providing them and the body responsible for his request.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 16 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
Are persons with disabilities entitled to prosthetic devices?
Yes. The article establishes their right to obtain prosthetic and assistive devices and medical aids according to their health condition and the requirements of the disability.
Who determines the list of devices and how they are provided?
The Regulations draw up lists of those devices and set the mechanism for providing them and each body's responsibility.
Does the article say the devices are free?
No. The article does not address that, and refers the mechanism for providing them to the Regulations.
More articles on Social Support and Prosthetic Devices
- Article 12
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to have their requirements taken into account in tourism, entertainment, cultural and sports activities, supporting their sports programs and their participation in local, regional and international events.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في مراعاة متطلباتهم عند تصميم وتنفيذ الأنشطة والبرامج والفعاليات السياحية والترفيهية والثقافية والرياضية، ويشمل ذلك دعم البرامج الرياضي
- Article 13
The article requires government and non-government bodies to work on raising societal awareness of disability and its types, strengthening the standing of persons with disabilities and publicizing their rights and abilities, and refers the mechanism to the Regulations.
على الجهات الحكومية وغير الحكومية العمل على رفع الوعي المجتمعي بالإعاقة وأنواعها وتعزيز مكانة الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة في المجتمع، والتعريف بحقوقهم وقدراتهم وإسهامات
- Article 15
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities and their families to social support services that help them adapt to the disability and achieve integration into society, and refers the mechanism to the Regulations.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة وأسرهم الحق في الحصول على خدمات الدعم الاجتماعي التي تساعدهم على التكيف مع الإعاقة وتحقق لهم الاندماج المجتمعي. وتحدد اللائحة آلية تنفيذ أحك
- Article 17
The article provides that the State bears the customs duties and taxes on tools and devices for persons with disabilities, according to a list issued by the Authority in agreement with the relevant bodies and reviewed periodically.
تتحمل الدولة الرسوم الجمركية والضرائب المفروضة على الأدوات والأجهزة الخاصة بالأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة، وتصدر الهيئة قائمة بتلك الأدوات والأجهزة بالاتفاق مع الجهات الم
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.