Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Oman: Explained

Oman has established a comprehensive legal framework for the protection and social integration of persons with disabilities through the new Law of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, promulgated by Royal Decree No. 92/2025. This law is grounded in principles of dignity, equality, non-discrimination, and full societal participation.

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the law applies to all persons with disabilities, and the executive regulation must specify the rights enjoyed by persons with disabilities residing in the State, irrespective of the type and degree of their disability.

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Chairman of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, explained that the law applies universally to all persons with disabilities, irrespective of the type or degree of their disability. It guarantees fundamental civil rights, including personal freedom, protection from violence and exploitation, the right to legal recourse, and safeguards during arrest or detention. Furthermore, it secures the right to non-discriminatory education with dedicated integration programs for individuals aged four to twenty-two.

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The law guarantees civil rights including personal freedom, protection from violence and exploitation, the right to sue, and safeguards during arrest or detention. It secures the right to education without discrimination, with dedicated integration programmes for those aged four to twenty-two, healthcare rights including early detection and rehabilitation, and social rights such as marriage, family life, and housing priority.

Healthcare rights, encompassing early detection and rehabilitation, are also secured. Social rights such as marriage, family life, and housing priority are recognized. Additionally, the law acknowledges cultural, sporting, and technological access rights. Significant financial benefits include customs and VAT exemptions on assistive devices and vehicles, fee exemptions for building permits for disability-focused facilities or modifications, and reduced fees for commercial activity licenses owned by persons with disabilities.

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cultural, sporting, and technological access rights are also recognised, alongside customs and VAT exemptions on assistive devices and vehicles, and fee exemptions for licences to build facilities dedicated to persons with disabilities or to modify buildings for accessibility, and fees for opening a commercial activity owned by persons with disabilities, limited to one establishment or company.

A major employment provision mandates that government entities and employers with 40 or more workers must fill 5% of their positions with qualified persons with disabilities. Employees with disabilities are also entitled to a daily two-hour reduction in working hours with full pay, as are those caring for a family member with moderate or severe disabilities. A National Committee for Persons with Disabilities has been formed to propose national policy, review rehabilitation program standards, and coordinate implementation across relevant entities. Violators of the law face fines and imprisonment, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses, underscoring Oman's commitment to disability rights and inclusion.

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A major employment provision requires government entities generally, and any employer with 40 or more workers, to fill 5% of their positions with qualified persons with disabilities, alongside a two-hour daily reduction in working hours with full pay for employees with disabilities, or for those caring for a parent, child, or spouse with moderate or severe disabilities.