Article 5 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
المادة 5 من نظام حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة · الباب الثاني: الحقوق والخدمات
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في مراعاة متطلباتهم الخاصة عند التعامل مع حالات الطوارئ والكوارث الطبيعية والأزمات، وتصدر الجهات المعنية -بالتنسيق مع الهيئة- أدلة إرشادية 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 5 explained in plain English
This article addresses exceptional circumstances in which persons with disabilities are more exposed to danger. It establishes their right to have their special requirements taken into account when dealing with:
- Emergencies.
- Natural disasters.
- Crises.
To turn this right into reality, the article requires the relevant bodies, meaning the bodies concerned with one or more of the fields covered by the Law as defined in Article 1, to issue guidance manuals for implementing this provision, in coordination with the Authority, which is the Disability Care Authority.
The article does not specify the content of these manuals or the detailed procedures; these are left to the relevant bodies. But the practical meaning is clear: when evacuation, response and relief plans are drawn up, they must not be built on the assumption that everyone can move, hear or see in the same way, but must take account of the special requirements of persons with disabilities.
This article comes after Article 4, which ensures accessibility and reasonable accommodation during litigation stages, and before Article 6, which provides for taking their requirements into account in traffic safety regulations and guidance.
Anyone who believes a body has overlooked these requirements can consult a lawyer specializing in the rights of persons with disabilities or in administrative cases.
Practical example
A government body is preparing an evacuation plan for its buildings in case of fire or flooding. Under Article 5, the plan should take into account the special requirements of employees and visitors with disabilities, guided by the manuals that the relevant bodies issue in coordination with the Disability Care Authority.
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 5 of the Saudi Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law
Must emergency plans take persons with disabilities into account?
Yes. The article establishes their right to have their special requirements taken into account when dealing with emergencies, natural disasters and crises.
Who issues the guidance manuals on emergencies for persons with disabilities?
The relevant bodies issue them in coordination with the Disability Care Authority.
More articles on Accessibility and Mobility
- Article 3
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.
للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة الحق في إمكانية الوصول للبيئات المادية المحيطة بهم -بحسب المواصفات الهندسية والمعمارية المنصوص عليها في الأحكام النظامية ذات العلاقة- لجميع
- 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.