Riyadh - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Riyadh has done a fair amount of work to make the city more accessible. It tends to be each specific point, i.e. each building, as opposed to the sidewalks between them (which can have ramps but be narrow/blocked/etc.) But someone in a wheelchair can get around most govt. buildings, malls, larger restaurants, etc. fairly well from what I have seen. Was surprising to me but wheelchair access at least is something generally thought about. Considering the general lack of effort put into the pedestrian experience, it is a noticeable positive. - Dec 2024
It depends on the disability. Most facilities are very modern, but sidewalks are not often wheelchair accessible. - Jul 2021
I didn't pay close attention, but my guess would be yes, there would be many physical obstacles. - Oct 2017
Yes, stay away. - May 2016
Yes, the majority of places are not accessible. - Nov 2015
Yes, poor or non-existent infrastructure. - Oct 2015
Yes, it would be extremely difficult. There are no sidewalks in downtown Riyadh. The diplomatic quarter has constant construction and the sidewalks are always broken. - Oct 2015
Not really, there is sympathy and kindness and there are many Saudis with disabilities. - Jan 2015
On the grand scheme of things, this is probably not so bad if one consider all the much poorer places in the world. - Sep 2014
I haven't paid close attention, but my guess would be yes, there would be many physical obstacles. - Mar 2014
Yes they would. This country does not have the physical disability act like we have in the States where we are required to have ramps, railings, etc. to assist our disabled community. - Dec 2013
Yes - there are no sidewalks and no ramps etc. - Oct 2013
No one walks anywhere, so if one had a suitable car, it might be okay. - Mar 2013
I would rate this as moderate. The malls and shopping here are accessible, but many of the streets and housing are not. - Apr 2011
A lot of difficulties like all third-world cities. - Mar 2010
Too many. Not a good place for someone with physical difficulties. - Jan 2010
Depends on what you want to do in Riyadh. If you just want to go to a few of the nice malls and restaurants, you'll be fine. If you want to go elsewhere, this is not a city that's well designed for fully-abled pedestrians, much less anyone with physical disabilities. - Dec 2009
There is no system to help people with disabilities. - Oct 2008
Movement is limited and most acitivity is indoors so it is less of a hardship than in most big cities. - Aug 2008
