Towards New Disability Paradigms: Generating Equality in Saudi Arabian Policy in Light of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Abstract

This paper examines the potential impact of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) upon national-level disability policy in Saudi Arabia. As an initial step, this study provides a document analysis of the provisions of the CRPD and its implementation into Saudi disability policy by highlighting the amendments made to meet its requirement. Furthermore, to understand how the government and the private sector are responding to the CRPD, a set of semi-structured interviews was conducted with various stakeholders. Participants were chosen based on specific criteria that established their trustworthiness for this study. The data were validated by experts who are legal professionals, and data from the participants were analysed using content analysis of themes and sub-themes. The results indicate paradigms and practices of disability formed in the light of the CRPD.