Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Culture, through its Museums Commission, announced on Tuesday that people with disabilities and their companions will be exempt from entry fees to all temporary exhibitions, accompanying programs, and cultural assets.

The decision aligns with global best practices in cultural institutions and aims to promote cultural inclusion by enabling equal access to the Kingdom’s cultural and artistic offerings.

It follows a memorandum of understanding signed on Sept. 8, 2024, between the Museums Commission and the Authority for the Care of People with Disabilities.

The agreement sets out joint policies to empower individuals with disabilities in museum-related fields, guarantee their rights, and improve services provided to them.

The Ministry said the move underscores the importance of including people with disabilities not only as visitors but also as active participants in the cultural scene.

Measures will be taken to ensure accessibility, including ramps, sign language interpretation, audio guides, and Braille translations.

By fostering an inclusive environment, the ministry aims to enrich cultural content with the perspectives and experiences of people with disabilities.

The initiative also includes specially designed educational programs, interactive spaces, and sensory tools to meet individual needs, encouraging creativity, learning, and exploration.