Article 3 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
المادة 3 من نظام حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة · الباب الثاني: الحقوق والخدمات
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to access all facilities and establishments, by verifying accessibility requirements at licensing and ensuring safe movement on roads, sidewalks and parking.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في إمكانية الوصول للبيئات المادية المحيطة بهم -بحسب المواصفات الهندسية والمعمارية المنصوص عليها في الأحكام النظامية ذات العلاقة- لجميع المرافق والمنشآت، ويشمل ذلك ما يلي:
1- التأكد من تطبيق متطلبات إمكانية الوصول -وفق الأحكام النظامية ذات العلاقة- عند إصدار أو تجديد التراخيص اللازمة للمرافق والمنشآت الحكومية وغير الحكومية.
2- ضمان حق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة في التنقل بسهولة وأمان عند تصميم وتنفيذ الطرق الداخلية والأرصفة وطرق المشاة ومواقف المركبات.
وتحدد اللائحة ما يلزم من ضوابط وإجراءات لتنفيذ أحكام هذه المادة.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article gives persons with disabilities the right of access to the physical environments around them in all facilities and establishments, according to the engineering and architectural specifications set out in the relevant legal provisions. The article does not set these specifications itself, but refers to them.
This right covers two specific matters:
- At licensing: verifying that accessibility requirements are applied, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, when issuing or renewing the licenses needed for facilities and establishments, governmental and non-governmental alike.
- In designing roads: ensuring the right of persons with disabilities to move easily and safely when designing and building internal roads, sidewalks, pedestrian paths and vehicle parking.
The Implementing Regulations set the controls and procedures needed to carry out these provisions.
This article ties the right of access to the licensing stage: accessibility requirements are not considered only after operation begins, but are verified when the license is issued or renewed. It applies the principle of providing accessibility requirements in Article 2, and the definition of accessibility in Article 1, which covers the physical environment, transport and facilities open to the public. It is followed by Article 4 on accessibility and reasonable accommodation during litigation stages.
Anyone who encounters an establishment that does not meet these requirements can consult a lawyer specializing in the rights of persons with disabilities or in administrative cases.
Practical example
The owner of a shopping center in Dammam applies to renew the center's license. Under Article 3, compliance with accessibility requirements is verified at renewal, and the parking and surrounding walkways must allow persons with disabilities to move easily and safely, in accordance with the legal provisions and the controls set by the Implementing Regulations.
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 3 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
Must private establishments be accessible to persons with disabilities?
Yes. The article provides for verifying accessibility requirements when issuing or renewing licenses for governmental and non-governmental facilities and establishments.
Does the article cover parking and sidewalks?
Yes. It ensures the right to move easily and safely when designing and building internal roads, sidewalks, pedestrian paths and vehicle parking.
Where do I find the required engineering specifications?
The article refers to the engineering and architectural specifications in the relevant legal provisions, and the Implementing Regulations set the controls and procedures.
More articles on Accessibility and Mobility
- Article 5
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to have their special requirements taken into account in emergencies, natural disasters and crises, and requires the relevant bodies to issue guidance manuals in coordination with the Authority.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في مراعاة متطلباتهم الخاصة عند التعامل مع حالات الطوارئ والكوارث الطبيعية والأزمات، وتصدر الجهات المعنية -بالتنسيق مع الهيئة- أدلة إرشا
- Article 6
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to have their requirements and needs taken into account in traffic safety regulations and guidance.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في أن تراعى متطلباتهم واحتياجاتهم في أنظمة السلامة المرورية وإرشاداتها.
- Article 7
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to move with the greatest possible safety and independence, and leaves the controls for implementing it to the Regulations.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في التنقل بأكبر قدر ممكن من الأمان والاستقلالية. وتحدد اللائحة ما يلزم من ضوابط لتنفيذ أحكام هذه المادة.
- Article 11
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to benefit from the facilities of the Two Holy Mosques, the holy sites, mosques and prayer rooms, including guaranteeing the availability of accessibility requirements.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في الاستفادة من المرافق الخاصة بالحرمين الشريفين والمشاعر المقدسة والمساجد والمصليات، ويشمل ذلك ضمان توفر متطلبات إمكانية الوصول.
- Article 14
The article establishes the right of persons with disabilities to access and benefit from readable, visual and audible content, and refers the mechanism for implementation to the Regulations.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في الوصول إلى المحتوى (المقروء، والمرئي، والمسموع) والاستفادة منه. وتحدد اللائحة آلية تنفيذ أحكام هذه المادة.
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.