Employment barriers for people with disabilities in Saudi Arabia

People with disabilities (PWDs) encounter numerous barriers that hinder their access to employment. This study examined perceived barriers related to (a) human resource (HR) practices and legislation, (b) employers' and employees' perceptions, and (c) workplace accommodations in Saudi Arabia. The study also investigated whether perceived barriers differed according to institutional characteristics, including employment sector, institutional age, public versus private status, current employment of PWDs, and Mowaamah certification status. Data were collected through a survey completed by employers and HR professionals (n = 86) across various regions of Saudi Arabia. The findings indicated that the most significant barriers were limited knowledge regarding how to provide appropriate assistance and resources to PWDs, as well as a shortage of PWDs applying for available positions. Conversely, the least significant barrier was the perception that PWDs cause disruptions in the workplace. Group comparisons revealed that perceived barriers were higher in newer institutions than in older ones, higher in institutions that did not currently employ PWDs, and lower in institutions that had obtained Mowaamah certification. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness of employment barriers facing PWDs. The study also identifies directions for future research, including the use of qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to further understand and address barriers to employing PWDs in Saudi Arabia.