1. Are all newly constructed buildings, to which there is public access, required by law to be accessible?
Summary of results
In the significant majority (27, together with both California and New York state in the USA) of the 35 countries surveyed this year there was legislation in place covering accessibility to both all newly constructed buildings and all disabilities.
While such legislation exists in all countries surveyed, in those countries where a qualified “Yes” was given as an answer, the most common reason given for qualification was that accessibility did not cover all disabilities, with more consideration being given to persons with impaired mobility.
As always, however, the existence of legislation does not necessarily mean that it is implemented.
Legislation is in place and covers all newly constructed buildings to which there is public access and all disabilities.
There is legislation only for certain newly constructed buildings. Or they are accessible only to persons with certain disabilities, etc.
There is no such legislation.
 Albania (ALB) |
Partly |
 Argentina (ARG) |
Partly |
 Australia (AUS) |
Partly |
 Austria (AUT) |
Legislation exists |
 Belgium – Federal State Walloon (BEL) |
Legislation exists |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) |
Partly |
 Bulgaria (BUL) |
Legislation exists |
 Canada (CAN) |
Legislation exists |
 Croatia (CRO) |
Partly |
 Czech Republic (CZE) |
Legislation exists |
 Denmark (DNK) |
Legislation exists |
 Estonia (EST) |
Legislation exists |
 Finland (FIN) |
Legislation exists |
 France (FRA) |
Legislation exists |
 Germany (DEU) |
Legislation exists |
 Hungary (HUN) |
Partly |
 Ireland (IRL) |
Legislation exists |
 Israel (ISR) |
Legislation exists |
 Italy (ITA) |
Legislation exists |
 Kosovo (RKS) |
Legislation exists |
 Macedonia (MKD) |
Legislation exists |
 Mexico (MEX) |
Legislation exists |
 Montenegro (MNE) |
Legislation exists |
 Netherlands (NED) |
Legislation exists |
 Portugal (POR) |
Legislation exists |
 Romania (ROU) |
Legislation exists |
 Serbia (SRB) |
Partly |
 Slovakia (SVK) |
Legislation exists |
 Slovenia (SLO) |
Legislation exists |
 South Africa (RSA) |
Legislation exists |
 Spain (ESP) |
Legislation exists |
 Sweden (SWE) |
Partly |
 Switzerland (SUI) |
Legislation exists |
 Turkey (TUR) |
Legislation exists |
 United Kingdom* (UK) |
Legislation exists |
 United States – California (US CA) |
Legislation exists |
| United States – New York (US NY state) |
Legislation exists |
