Brazilian - 2015

Brazilian Law of Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (Law No. 13,146/2015) – Accesstive Content Standard

Overview

The Brazilian Law of Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities (Lei Brasileira de Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência), also known as the Statute of Persons with Disabilities, is Brazil's primary federal law on disability rights, accessibility, and equal participation.

Law No. 13,146/2015 establishes legal protections across education, employment, healthcare, transportation, public services, and digital accessibility in both public and private sectors. It is grounded in principles of equality, autonomy, and non-discrimination, aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The Brazilian Law of Inclusion is a legally enforceable law in Brazil.

Purpose

  • Protect the rights of persons with disabilities
  • Improve accessibility across physical and digital environments
  • Promote equal participation in education and employment
  • Support independent living and autonomy
  • Remove barriers affecting access to services and public life

Key Areas

1. Accessibility

Physical Accessibility

  • Public and private spaces must support accessible access
  • Measures include ramps, elevators, tactile flooring, accessible restrooms, and barrier-free infrastructure

Transportation Accessibility

  • Public transportation systems must support accessible travel
  • Requirements apply to buses, trains, taxis, and related services
  • Measures include accessible boarding systems and communication support

Digital Accessibility

  • Digital services and electronic content are expected to meet accessibility standards
  • Measures include screen reader compatibility, alternative text, captions, and accessible multimedia
  • Universal design principles apply to public-facing systems and services

2. Education

  • Inclusive education is protected at all educational levels
  • Institutions must provide accessibility accommodations where required
  • Support includes accessible learning materials, assistive technologies, and specialized educational services
  • Discrimination or exclusion based on disability is prohibited

3. Employment

  • Employers with 100 or more employees must reserve positions for persons with disabilities
  • Quota requirements range from 2% to 5% depending on organization size
  • Employers must provide reasonable workplace accommodations
  • Recruitment, compensation, and advancement must support equal treatment

4. Healthcare

  • Persons with disabilities have the right to accessible healthcare services
  • Providers must support accessibility in facilities and communication
  • Public healthcare programs may provide assistive technologies and rehabilitation support
  • Medical services must respect autonomy and informed consent

5. Legal Rights and Protection

  • Disability-based discrimination is prohibited under federal law
  • Violations may result in fines or imprisonment in certain cases
  • Persons with disabilities retain full legal capacity and decision-making rights
  • Justice and administrative procedures must support accessibility

Timeline

  • July 6, 2015 — Law No. 13,146/2015 signed into law
  • January 2, 2016 — Most provisions officially entered into force
  • 2016–Present — Ongoing implementation and enforcement across public and private sectors

How to Approach This

Accessibility and inclusion compliance require:

  • Accessible infrastructure and digital services
  • Ongoing accessibility monitoring
  • Workplace and service accommodation processes
  • Continuous review of accessibility barriers and remediation efforts

How Accesstive Fits

  • Find → Identify accessibility barriers across websites and digital platforms
  • Fix → Support remediation and accessibility improvements
  • Prove → Monitor accessibility progress and maintain compliance visibility

Important Clarification

The Brazilian Law of Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities is a legally enforceable federal law in Brazil. Accessibility obligations may vary depending on organization type, sector, and service scope. Additional technical requirements may apply through related Brazilian accessibility standards and regulations.

Source

Based on official Brazilian federal legislation published by the Government of Brazil. Official Law No. 13,146/2015 Text

Author: Accesstive Research Team

Last Updated: April 30, 2026