Riyadh Launches Disability-Rights Inspections, Big Fines

Nationwide inspections have begun across the Kingdom, including Riyadh, to enforce the Law of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The campaign targets private and non-profit facilities and service providers that fail to meet accessibility obligations or that discriminate against people with disabilities.

Under the law, entities that introduce policies involving direct or indirect discrimination on the basis of disability — or that otherwise breach the law — may face fines of up to SAR 500,000. Penalties are doubled for repeat violations, and also when the affected person is a child or an elderly individual.

How penalties are structured

The law sets out clear ranges. Serious acts listed under Article 21(1) can carry imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to SAR 500,000, or both. Acts under Article 21(2) can lead to up to one year in prison, a fine of up to SAR 250,000, or both. Acts under Article 21(3) carry an administrative fine of no less than SAR 10,000 and no more than SAR 500,000.

Specific examples include fines of up to SAR 20,000 for discriminating against a person with a disability in dealings with an organisation, and up to SAR 10,000 for preventing someone from independently handling their legal matters without lawful reason. Denying access to education, healthcare, insurance, financing, or transport because of disability can bring fines of up to SAR 10,000

Inspection and enforcement powers are exercised by the national disability authority under Article 25, covering private and non-profit organisations across the country. For residents and businesses, the message is practical: accessibility is a legal requirement, not an option.

Violations can be reported through the unified complaints number 19911, the mobile application of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the online complaint forms provided by the relevant ministries and authorities.

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