On 28 June 2023, China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), passed the Law on the Creation of Barrier-free Environment (无障碍环境建设法).
Through this legislation, China aims to promote the creation of a barrier-free environment, thereby facilitating persons with disabilities and the elderly in, among others, independently and safely traveling on roads, entering and exiting buildings, using their ancillary facilities, using public transportation, acquiring, using, and exchanging information, and gaining access to public services.
The highlights of the law are as follows.
- A newly constructed, converted, or expanded residential building, residential area, public building, public place, transportation facility, or urban or rural road, among others, shall meet the standards for the construction of barrier-free facility projects. Existing structures that do not meet these standards shall be renovated with accessible facilities.
- Ensure that a certain percentage of new public transportation vehicles, such as civil aircraft, passenger trains, passenger ships, buses, streetcars, and urban rail transit vehicles meet barrier-free standards. Where existing public transport vehicles meet the conditions for improvement, barrier-free improvements shall be made.
- The government shall facilitate access to public information for persons with disabilities and the elderly. Necessary barrier-free equipment and auxiliary devices shall be provided in public service places, and private enterprises are encouraged to provide appropriate products and services.
Photo by Cameron Gibson on Unsplash
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
