Determinants of Access to Social Care Services for Children with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia: A Statistical Analysis and Policy Recommendations

Social care services play a crucial role in promoting the inclusion of children with disabilities. This study analyzes the factors affecting access to social care services for children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the gaps that exist despite the expansion of service provision. The analysis used 2022 census and ministry data with logistic regression to identify key determinants. The findings indicate that 76.5% of children with disabilities benefited from at least one form of social care, with financial support being the most common service (63.2%). Significant disparities were observed across administrative regions, and access to services was found to be significantly influenced by age, type of disability, and school enrollment status. The study recommends the need to expand the geographical coverage of social services to ensure equal opportunities for different groups, the need to enhance awareness of the availability of services, and the need to conduct a periodic assessment of the level of satisfaction with the services provided.