Law of the People's Republic of China on Building Accessible Environments

(Adopted at the 3rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress on June 28, 2023)

Contents

Chapter I    General Provisions

Chapter II    Development of Accessible Facilities

Chapter III  Accessible Information and Communications

Chapter IV  Accessible Social Services

Chapter V    Support Measures

Chapter VI  Supervision and Administration

Chapter VII    Legal Liability

Chapter VIII   Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I   General Provisions

Article 1 This Law is enacted pursuant to the Constitution and relevant laws for the purposes of strengthening the building of accessible environments, ensuring the equal, full, and convenient participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities and the elderly in society, promoting the sharing of fruits of economic and social development by all members of society, and carrying forward the core socialist values.

Article 2 The state takes measures to promote the building of accessible environments and provide convenience for persons with disabilities and the elderly to travel independently and safely on roads, enter and exit buildings and use their facilities, take public transportation, access, utilize, and exchange information, and receive social services.

Other than persons with disabilities and the elderly, individuals who have accessibility needs may also benefit from accessible environments.

Article 3 The building of accessible environments shall fall under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, give play to government guidance, stimulate the enthusiasm of market entities, and steer wide participation of social organizations and the general public in order to ensure collaboration, participation and shared benefits across society.

Article 4 The building of accessible environments shall be integrated with age-friendly renovations in line with the principles of safety, convenience, practicality, viability, and broad-reaching benefits.

Article 5 The building of accessible environments shall be adapted to the economic and social conditions and progress based on urban-rural coordination in order to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas in their building of accessible environments over time.

Article 6 People's governments at or above the county level shall include the building of accessible environments in their national economic and social development plans, incorporate the required funds into the budgets at the corresponding levels, and establish stable funding guarantee mechanisms.

Article 7 People's governments at or above the county level shall coordinate, supervise, and guide the relevant departments to advance the building of accessible environments within the scope of their functions and duties.

Departments in charge of housing and urban-rural development, civil affairs, industry and information technology, transportation, natural resources, culture and tourism, education, and health of people's governments at or above the county level shall engage in the building of accessible environments within the scope of their functions and duties.

People's governments of towns and townships and the sub-district offices shall assist relevant departments in the building of accessible environments.

Article 8 Such organizations as the disabled persons' federations and the committees on aging shall, in accordance with laws and regulations and their respective charters, assist people's governments at all levels and their relevant departments in the building of accessible environments.

Article 9 Representatives of persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as organizations such as the disabled persons' federations and the committees on aging, shall be consulted when the laws, regulations, rules, plans, and other normative documents regarding the building of accessible environments are formulated or revised.

Article 10 The state encourages and supports non-governmental forces such as enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and individuals to participate in the building of accessible environments through donations, voluntary services, and other means.

The state supports international exchanges and cooperation in the building of accessible environments.

Article 11 Entities and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the building of accessible environments shall be commended and awarded in accordance with the relevant regulations of the state.

Chapter II Development of Accessible Facilities

Article 12 The newly built, altered, and expanded residential buildings, residential areas, public buildings, public venues, transportation facilities, urban and rural roads, and other structures shall meet the construction standards for accessible facilities.

The accessible facilities shall be planned, designed, constructed, inspected for acceptance, and delivered for use simultaneously with the main structure, and be effectively connected and integrated with the accessible facilities in the proximity.

The accessible facilities shall bear standard accessibility symbols, which shall be included in the guiding signage system of the surrounding environment or inside the buildings themselves.

Article 13 The state encourages project developers, designers, and contractors to adopt advanced concepts and technologies in building accessible facilities that are human-centered, systematic, intelligent, and well-coordinated with the surrounding environment.

Article 14 Project developers shall include the funding for the construction of accessible facilities in the budgets for the construction projects concerned.

Project developers shall neither instruct, explicitly or implicitly, the designers or contractors to violate the construction standards for accessible facilities, nor deliver for use the accessible facilities that have not been inspected for acceptance or that have failed to pass such inspections.

Article 15 Project designers shall apply the construction standards for accessible facilities to their design.

Where the law requires examination of working drawings or other design documents, the working drawing review institution shall examine the accessible facility design in accordance with laws, regulations and construction standards for accessible facilities. Any document that fails to meet relevant provisions of the laws, regulations or standards shall not be approved.

Article 16 Project contractors and construction supervisors shall construct and oversee the accessible facilities in accordance with the working drawings, other design documents and the relevant standards.

Departments of housing and urban-rural development and other competent departments shall not handle the formalities of completion acceptance and filing for record for the projects that have not been inspected for acceptance or have failed to pass such inspections in accordance with laws, regulations and construction standards for accessible facilities.

Article 17 The state encourages project developers to invite the representatives of persons with disabilities and the elderly, organizations such as the disabled persons' federations and the committees on aging to participate in activities such as consultations and trials in the planning, design, completion acceptance or any other construction stage of the newly built, altered, and expanded projects.

Article 18 Where there are existing residential buildings, residential areas, public buildings, public venues, transportation facilities, and urban and rural roads that do not comply with the construction standards for accessible facilities, the people's governments at or above the county level shall, in light of actual conditions, formulate targeted plans for accessibility-oriented renovations and organize the implementation of the said plans.

The owners or managers concerned shall be responsible for accessibility-oriented renovations. Where there is an agreement on the responsibilities for renovations among the owners, managers, and users, the party designated in the agreement shall assume the responsibilities.

If accessibility-oriented renovations are not feasible, the responsible party shall take alternative measures as required.

Article 19 People's governments at or above the county level shall support and guide accessibility-oriented renovations by households. Appropriate subsidies shall be provided to eligible households with persons with disabilities or the elderly.

The residents' committees, villagers' committees, management and service providers in residential areas, and the homeowners' committees shall support and cooperate in accessibility-oriented renovations by households.

Article 20 The entities with disability employment of above a certain scale shall build accessible facilities or make accessibility-oriented renovations in accordance with the relevant standards and requirements.

The state encourages and supports employers in building accessible facilities or making accessibility-oriented renovations in the workplaces in order to ensure appropriate working conditions and provide convenience for employees with disabilities.

Article 21 In building, altering, and expanding the public buildings, public venues, transportation facilities, and public service facilities of residential areas, accessible facilities shall be built in accordance with the construction standards for accessible facilities. Necessary renovations shall be made to the existing buildings, venues and facilities mentioned above that do not meet the construction standards for accessible facilities.

Article 22 The state supports the addition of elevators or other accessible facilities to the existing multi-story residential buildings in old urban residential communities in order to provide convenience for persons with disabilities and the elderly.

People's governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall take measures, create conducive conditions and leverage the role of primary-level organizations in communities to promote the addition of elevators or other accessible facilities to the existing multi-story residential buildings.

Homeowners shall, carrying forward traditional Chinese virtues such as neighborliness and mutual assistance, increase communication and consultation, and cooperate in accordance with the law in adding elevators or other accessible facilities to the existing multi-story residential buildings.

Article 23 In building, altering, and expanding the pedestrian overpasses and underpasses of urban main roads, or in major commercial areas or large residential areas, or when such overpasses and underpasses are eligible for accessibility-oriented renovations, accessible facilities shall be built or renovated in accordance with the construction standards for accessible facilities.

The sidewalks in areas with a high demand for accessibility, such as urban main roads and major commercial areas, shall be equipped with tactile paving in accordance with the relevant standards. The traffic control devices at pedestrian crossings in the downtown area, near the entities with disability employment above a certain scale and the schools for students with disabilities shall be equipped with audible signals in accordance with the relevant standards.

Article 24 Parking lots shall designate accessible parking spaces and mark them with clear signage in accordance with the construction standards for accessible facilities.

Priority access to the accessible parking spaces shall be granted to the motor vehicles driven or taken by persons with limb disabilities. Those having priority to use the accessible parking spaces shall put the designated vehicle identification for persons with disabilities in a prominent place or provide their disability certificates.

If there are sufficient accessible parking spaces, the motor vehicles driven or taken by other individuals with mobility constraints, such as those with other disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, infants or children, may also use these spaces.

Article 25 It shall be ensured that a certain proportion of such public transportation vehicles that are recently put into operation as civil aircraft, passenger trains, passenger ships, buses, trolleybuses, streetcars, and urban rail transit vehicles meet the accessible standards.

If conditions permit, the existing public transportation vehicles shall have accessibility-oriented renovations to progressively meet the requirements of accessibility standards. If such renovations are not viable, the operating entities of the public transportation vehicles shall take necessary alternative measures.

People's governments at or above the county level shall, in light of local conditions, gradually establish a guide system for accessible public transportation in urban areas, and plan to allocate an appropriate number of accessible taxis.

Article 26 The owners or managers of accessible facilities shall ensure the normal functioning and safe use of such facilities by fulfilling the following maintenance and management duties:

(1) repairing or replacing accessible facilities and accessibility signs impaired;

(2) renovating accessible facilities as needed;

(3) making rectification of acts of occupying accessible facilities; and

(4) conducting other necessary maintenance and upkeep work.

Where there is an agreement among the owners, the managers, and the users, the party designated in the agreement shall take charge of the maintenance and management.

Article 27 Temporary accessible facilities set up due to special circumstances shall meet the construction standards for accessible facilities.

Article 28 No entity or individual may alter the purpose of accessible facilities without authorization, or illegally occupy or damage the accessible facilities.

In the case of temporary occupation of accessible facilities due to special circumstances, public notices shall be issued, barricades, warning signs, or signaling facilities shall be set up, and alternative measures shall be taken at the same time. The facilities shall be reinstated in a timely manner when the temporary occupation ends.

Chapter III Accessible Information and Communications

Article 29 People's governments at all levels and their relevant departments shall facilitate access to public information for persons with disabilities and the elderly. When releasing information concerning such emergencies as natural disasters, accidents, public health incidents, and social security incidents, if conditions permit, these governments and departments shall concurrently use audio, large-sized text, Braille, sign language and other means of accessible information communication.

Article 30 The television stations established with government funding shall provide subtitles for television programs, broadcast news programs with sign language interpretation at least once a day if conditions permit, and expand the scope of programs with sign language interpretation over time.

The state encourages the inclusion of subtitles, sign language interpretation, or audio description tracks in audiovisual products and online video programs that are published for public distribution.

Article 31 The state encourages the provision of audio, large-sized text, Braille, electronic text, and other accessible versions for books, newspapers, and periodicals that are published for public distribution, in order to facilitate reading by persons with disabilities and the elderly.

The state encourages educational textbook development and publishing institutions to compile and publish Braille and low-vision editions of textbooks tailored to different educational stages and levels, in order to meet the learning needs of the blind and the visually impaired students.

Article 32 The internet websites, service platforms, and mobile internet applications created with governmental funding shall take steps to comply with the design standards for website accessibility and the national information accessibility standards.

The state encourages internet websites and mobile internet applications across various domains, including news and information, social networking, shopping, medical and healthcare services, financial services, education, transportation, and travel, to take steps to meet the design standards for website accessibility and the national information accessibility standards.

The state encourages the addition of accessible facility signs and accessible route navigation features in navigation and positioning products based on maps.

Article 33 Manufacturers of audiovisual and multimedia devices, mobile intelligent terminal devices, and telecommunication terminal devices shall take steps to make their products have accessibility features such as audio guidance and large-sized text.

Self-service terminals for public service in banks, hospitals, urban rail transit stations, civil aviation airport terminals, passenger stations, passenger piers, major scenic areas and other places shall have accessibility features such as audio guidance, large-sized text and Braille.

Article 34 Telecommunication service providers shall offer audio services, large-sized text information services or in-person assistance to persons with disabilities and the elderly when providing basic telecommunication services.

Article 35 The government service hotlines and emergency call systems for calling the police, reporting fire emergencies, traffic accidents, and asking for first-aid medical services shall take steps to have accessibility features such as audio guidance, large-sized text, Braille and one-touch dialing.

Article 36 Libraries, museums, cultural centers, science and technology museums, and other institutions providing public cultural services shall take into account the needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly, and proactively create conditions to offer literature information and accessible facilities, equipment and services that cater to their needs.

Article 37 The relevant departments under the State Council shall improve the specifications for the administration of medicine labels and instructions, and require the pharmaceutical producers and operators to provide labels and instructions in accessible forms such as audio, large-sized text, Braille and electronic text.

The state encourages the producers and operators of other products to provide labels and instructions in accessible forms, such as audio, large-sized text, Braille and electronic text to facilitate the recognition and use by persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Article 38 The state promotes and uses the standard sign language and Braille.

The standard sign language and Braille shall be employed when sign language and Braille are used to provide basic public services and in teaching activities in all kinds of schools.

Chapter IV Accessible Social Services

Article 39 Public service venues shall be equipped with essential accessible equipment and auxiliary devices, offer clear signage and guidance for accessible facilities, and provide accessible services for persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Where public service venues involve such services as medical and health care, social security, finance, and utility bills, etc., traditional service modes such as on-site guidance and manual handling shall be retained.

Article 40 The administrative service agencies, community service organizations, and public service providers for water, electricity, gas, and heating supply shall set up service counters at a lower height or accessible service windows, and shall be equipped with such devices as electronic display screens, writing boards, and voice prompts to provide accessible services for persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Article 41 The judicial authorities, arbitration institutions, and legal aid organizations shall provide accessible services in accordance with the law for persons with disabilities and the elderly when they take part in litigation or arbitration activities or need access to legal aid.

The state encourages law firms, notary offices, judicial appraisal institutions, primary-level legal service offices, and other legal service agencies to offer accessible services based on their specific business.

Article 42 The operators of transportation facilities and public transportation vehicles shall, taking into account the characteristics of various modes of transportation, the facility and equipment conditions, and the services provided, set up accessible service windows, designated waiting areas, priority lanes, and courtesy seats for persons with disabilities and the elderly, and offer them such accessible services as auxiliary devices, guidance and consultations, subtitled next-stop announcements, voice prompts, and personalized appointments.

Article 43 Educational administrative departments and educational institutions shall enhance the building of accessible environments within the educational premises to ensure accessible services for students, teachers and other employees with disabilities.

National education examinations, vocational qualification examinations, technical and proficiency examinations, enrollment and recruitment examinations, as well as other unified examinations organized by various schools shall provide convenience for candidates with disabilities.

Article 44 Medical and health care institutions shall provide convenience in their services for persons with disabilities and the elderly who seek medical treatment.

Organizations dedicated to serving persons with disabilities and the elderly shall be equipped with accessible devices, and provide accessible services related to daily care, nursing and rehabilitation, etc.

Article 45 The state encourages service venues dedicated to offering cultural, tourism, sports, financial, postal, telecommunications, transportation, commercial, catering, accommodation, and property management services to provide such accessible services as auxiliary devices, guidance and consultations for persons with disabilities and the elderly in their services.

The state encourages postal and courier service enterprises to provide door-to-door collection and delivery services to persons with disabilities and the elderly who have mobility difficulties.

Article 46 Operational and managerial entities of public venues, operators of the transportation facilities, and public transportation vehicles shall provide convenience for persons with disabilities accompanied by guide dogs, hearing dogs, assistance dogs, and other service dogs.

Persons with disabilities who visit public venues, use transportation facilities, and take public transportation vehicles with service dogs shall, pursuant to relevant regulations of the state, ensure that the service dogs wear identifiable gear and that necessary protective measures are taken.

Article 47 When formulating and implementing emergency plans, the managers of the emergency shelters shall, taking into account the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly, install prompt devices including audio prompts, large-sized text, and flashing lights as appropriate, and improve the accessible services of the emergency shelters.

Article 48 Departments and entities responsible for organizing elections shall take measures to provide convenience and necessary assistance for voters with disabilities and elderly voters.

Article 49 The state encourages and supports the development of accessibility information service platforms to provide remote and real-time accessible information services for persons with disabilities and the elderly.

Chapter V Support Measures

Article 50 The state launches publicity and education campaigns on the concept of accessible environments to disseminate knowledge about accessibility, foster a culture of accessibility and enhance public awareness of accessibility.

News media shall actively conduct publicity of the building of accessible environments.

Article 51 The state promotes the concept of universal design, establishes and improves national, industry and local standards, encourages the development of leading association standards and corporate standards, and strengthens coordination among these standards to establish a system of standards for the building of accessible environments.

Local standards formulated in light of actual conditions must not be lower than the technical requirements of the national standards.

Article 52 Representatives of persons with disabilities and the elderly, as well as organizations such as the disabled persons’ federations and the committees on aging, shall be consulted when the standards regarding the building of accessible environments are formulated or revised. The said organizations may, in accordance with the law, propose recommendations for the establishment or revision of the said standards.

Article 53 The state shall establish a sound certification system for accessible design, facilities, products, and services, as well as an evaluation system for information accessibility, and promote the acceptance and application of the certification or evaluation results.

Article 54 The state shall, by such means as financial support, government procurement, and tax incentives, promote the application of new technological advancements in the building of accessible environments, encourage the research, development, production, application, and promotion of accessible technologies, products, and services, and support the integrated development of accessible facilities, information, and services.

Article 55 The state establishes a mechanism for talent training in fields related to the building of accessible environments. 

The state encourages higher education institutions, secondary vocational schools and other schools to establish disciplines and courses related to the building of accessible environments, to carry out theoretical research, international exchanges, and practical activities in this field.

Such disciplines as architecture, transportation, and computer science and technology, shall include teaching and practical activities related to the building of accessible environments. Examinations for professional qualifications, continuing education, and other training programs in relevant fields shall include knowledge regarding the building of accessible environments.

Article 56 The state encourages state organs, enterprises, public institutions, societies, and other social organizations to provide their employees with knowledge and skill training regarding accessible services.

Article 57 The building of accessible environments shall be an important part of developing model cities, towns, villages, organizations, communities, and campuses with social etiquette and civility.

Chapter VI Supervision and Administration

Article 58 The people's governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments shall supervise and inspect the building of accessible environments in accordance with the law, and carry out joint supervision and inspections when necessary.

Article 59 The state implements a target responsibility system and a performance assessment system for the building of accessible environments. Local people's governments at or above the county level shall formulate specific assessment methods in light of actual local conditions.

Article 60 Relevant departments of the governments at or above the county level shall entrust third-party institutions on a regular basis to evaluate the building of accessible environments and release the evaluation results for public oversight.

Article 61 People's governments at or above the county level shall establish an information publicity system for the regular release of information about the building of accessible environments.

Article 62 Organizations and individuals are entitled to submit opinions and suggestions on enhancing and improving the building of accessible environments to competent government departments, and to file complaints and reports against the actions that violate the provisions of this Law. Upon receiving complaints or reports in this regard, the competent departments of people's governments at or above the county level shall handle them and give corresponding replies in a timely manner.

Such organizations as the disabled persons' federations and the committees on aging may, as needed, hire the representatives of persons with disabilities, the elderly and individuals with relevant professional knowledge to supervise the building of accessible environments.

News media may conduct public opinion supervision over the building of accessible environments.

Article 63 People's procuratorates may propose procuratorial suggestions or initiate public interest litigation against the acts that undermine the public interest in violation of the provisions of this Law.

Chapter VII Legal Liability

Article 64 Where a project developer, designer, constructor or construction supervisor fails to observe the provisions of this Law during the construction, design, or supervision, relevant government departments including those in charge of housing and urban-rural development, civil affairs, and transportation shall order it to make rectification within a prescribed time limit. If it fails to make rectification within the prescribed time limit, it shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and regulations.

Article 65 In the case of violations of the provisions of this Law under the following circumstances, relevant departments including those in charge of housing and urban-rural development, civil affairs, and transportation shall order the violator to make rectification within a prescribed time limit. Where the violator fails to make rectification within the prescribed time limit, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 yuan but not more than RMB 30,000 yuan shall be imposed if the violator is an entity, or a fine of not less than RMB 100 yuan but not more than RMB 500 yuan shall be imposed if the violator is an individual.

(1) where the person responsible for the accessible facilities fails to perform his duties of maintenance and management and fails to ensure the proper functioning and safe use of the said facilities;

(2) where the temporary accessible facilities do not meet requirements of relevant regulations; or

(3) where unauthorized alterations of the purpose of the accessible facilities occur, or there is illegal occupation or damage to such facilities.

Article 66 Whoever, in violation of the provisions of this Law, fails to fulfill the obligation for accessible information and communication in accordance with the provisions of this Law, shall be ordered to make rectification within a prescribed time limit by relevant departments including departments of cyberspace administration, industry and information technology, telecommunications, radio and television, and press and publication. If the violator fails to make rectification within the prescribed time limit, it shall be criticized in a notice.

Article 67 Where a telecommunications business operator fails to provide accessible information services in accordance with the law, the competent department of telecommunications shall order the operator to make rectification within a prescribed time limit. If the operator fails to make rectification within the prescribed time limit, a fine of not less than RMB 10,000 yuan but not more than RMB 100,000 yuan shall be imposed.

Article 68 Where a department or an entity responsible for providing public services fails to provide accessible social services in accordance with the law, the people's government at the same level or the competent department at a higher level shall order it to make rectification within a prescribed time limit. If the department or entity fails to make rectification within the prescribed time limit, the directly responsible persons in charge and other directly responsible persons shall be given a sanction in accordance with the law.

Article 69 Where an examination holder or organizer fails to provide reasonable accommodations for the examination takers with disabilities in accordance with the law, the people's government at the same level or the competent department at a higher level shall address criticism and order the holder or organizer to make rectification. If the holder or organizer fails to make rectification, the directly responsible persons in charge and other directly responsible persons shall be given a sanction in accordance with the law.

Article 70 Where an employee of competent departments of the building of accessible environments or organizations related to the building of accessible environments abuses his power, neglects his duties, or engages in malpractice for personal gains, he shall be given a sanction in accordance with the law.

Article 71 Whoever, in violation of the provisions of this Law, causes any personal injury or property loss, shall bear civil liability in accordance with the law; where such violation constitutes a crime, the violator shall be held criminally liable in accordance with the law.

Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions

Article 72 This Law shall come into effect on September 1, 2023.