JEDDAH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has embarked on a number of important projects to provide quality services for the disabled at all tourist destinations through improved regulations and better employee training.

In a groundbreaking move, the commission adopted a new criteria for the classification of tourist accommodation facilities around the country, making it easier for those with special needs to know which destinations are appropriately equipped with all of their requirements for a comfortable journey and stay.

The commission has also signed a cooperation memorandum with the King Salman Center for Disability Research involving new research into tourism activities, notably, the Comprehensive Program of Accessibility for People with Special Needs, and its inclusion in the regulations and licensing requirements for tourist accommodation facilities and activities.

The step seeks to facilitate the movement of disabled persons to enable them to participate more in tourism related activities. It is also aimed at encouraging employees in the hospitality and tourism sector to deal with people with special needs better by educating them on how to handle their needs effectively and confidently.

The commission is therefore seeking to disseminate a new and improved culture of designing buildings in a way that people with special needs can easily use. The most important criteria in developing accommodation facilities in this manner is taking into consideration the movement of disabled people inside all facilities with regard to the entrances, exits, parking lots, rooms, restaurants and other utilities.

This will also involve the development of detailed standards for this segment of the society in collaboration with the King Salman Center for Disability Research and other societies specializing in audio impairment, including allocating rooms with particular specifications for people with mobility impairments, as well as for people with hearing or visual impairments.