Lawmakers discuss revision of barrier-free law draft

The draft law on the construction of a barrier-free environment was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for a second review on Monday, which aims to get more people with disabilities and the elderly more involved in social activities.

The draft law was submitted to the NPC's Standing Committee for the first review in October.

Some amendments were made after the first review with opinions and suggestions collected from the public. In the past few months, officials from the Constitution and Law Committee also paid visits to places such as Chongqing municipality and Guangdong province to listen to opinions from NPC deputies from all walks of life and representatives of disabled people.

An additional chapter covering supportive measures for the construction of a barrier-free environment was added to the draft law, covering areas such as knowledge promotion, construction standards and talent production.

Under the additional chapter, the nation should carry out educational programs popularizing knowledge about barrier-free environments to improve the public's awareness. News media should also take part in charitable promotion campaigns on barrier-free environment construction.

Also, State-level and industry standards on barrier-free environment construction should be drafted while social organizations and companies are encouraged to set some exemplary standards to make all these standards better connected.

The nation can encourage the research and development of technologies and products serving barrier-free environment construction through financial support or government procurement, according to the additional chapter.

Under the draft law, the nation will encourage universities and vocational schools to set up majors or have curriculums on barrier-free environment construction and add practical courses for students learning architecture, transportation and computer sciences to help produce more talent for the sector.

"Some members of the Standing Committee of the NPC and officials from local authorities suggested improving the regulations on installing barrier-free facilities in old residential communities and elevators for the elderly," said Xu Hui, deputy director of the Constitution and Law Committee, who made a report on the draft law amendment in Beijing on Monday.

Xu said that building a barrier-free environment is an important step for helping disabled people and the elderly get more involved in social activities, which is also a significant symbol of national and social civilization.