The Transport Authority mandates that delivery apps serve people with disabilities immediately
In a significant regulatory move, the Public Transport Authority in Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, issued a decision requiring all companies and delivery service providers to immediately adapt their technological and digital systems. This decision aims to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities, ensuring their full and independent access to digital services with ease, without requiring assistance from others.
Activating the executive regulations
This mandatory step is a precise implementation of the executive regulations governing delivery services in the Kingdom, which explicitly stipulate the need for licensed companies to adapt their technological systems. The aim is to ensure that all segments of society, including people with disabilities, can access and use digital platforms effectively, reflecting the legislative body's commitment to bridging the digital divide.
Context of Vision 2030 and Quality of Life
This decision cannot be separated from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program, which aims to empower all members of society. The Kingdom is a regional leader in digital transformation, and the government seeks to integrate people with disabilities into society not only through employment and education, but also by enabling them to live their daily lives and access logistical and commercial services with dignity and independence, just like everyone else.
Technical standards to ensure universal access
Through this decision, regulatory authorities aim to enable people with disabilities to access delivery application platforms without technical barriers. This practically means that applications must support screen reading technologies for the blind, provide color contrast options for the visually impaired, and simplify user interfaces for those with mobility difficulties. The new decision requires service providers to raise their level of compliance and technical adaptation to the highest national standards and applicable legislation, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Promoting independence and economic growth
The official initiative focuses on directly facilitating access for people with disabilities, enabling them to use digital platforms to meet their daily needs with complete independence, thus improving their quality of life. From an economic perspective, integrating this important segment of society into the active consumer base of delivery applications will benefit the logistics sector, expanding the customer base and increasing the volume of purchases made through these platforms.
Through this mandatory requirement, the authority aims to enhance user experience and improve the quality of services provided via user-friendly and highly efficient digital solutions. This approach reflects the commitment of relevant authorities to implementing the principles of digital inclusion, ensuring that disability will not be a barrier to benefiting from the tremendous technological advancements the Kingdom is witnessing in the logistics and delivery sector.
