Article 18 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law

This article carries the principle of non-discrimination into the financial field. It establishes the right of persons with disabilities to two things:

1. Having their requirements taken into account when financial services are provided to them.
2. Being enabled to obtain these services without discrimination.

The services mentioned are of three types:

• Banking services.
• Financing services.
• Insurance services.

To implement this, the relevant bodies, in coordination with the Disability Care Authority, issue guidance manuals. The article does not state the content of these manuals.

"Discrimination" is understood here under its definition in Article 1: any discrimination, exclusion or restriction because of disability whose purpose or effect is to impair rights or not recognize them. Disability in itself must not be a reason to deprive a person of a financial service or restrict them in it. But the article does not mean that every request must be accepted; it prevents disability from being the basis for refusal or restriction.

This article comes after Article 17, under which the State bears customs duties and taxes on tools for persons with disabilities, and before Article 19, which establishes their right to social development lending services through facilitated programs.

Anyone who believes they were refused or restricted in a financial service because of a disability can consult a lawyer specializing in banking and finance.