Law 7600 – Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities

Law No. 7600, dated May 2, 1996, declares the comprehensive development of the population with disabilities in Costa Rica to be of public interest, ensuring equal conditions of quality, opportunity, rights and duties as the rest of the inhabitants. This fact sheet summarizes the most frequently consulted obligations.

Parking spaces (Article 43, amended by Law 9865 of 2020): any establishment with parking must reserve 5 % of the total spaces for vehicles driven by or transporting persons with disabilities, with a minimum of 2 spaces, located near the main entrances.

Accessibility in constructions (Article 41): any new construction or renovation of public buildings must meet technical accessibility specifications. The same obligation applies to private buildings that provide services to the public (stores, service offices, etc.).

Pedestrian crossings (Article 42): must include ramps, handrails, and visual, auditory and tactile signage.

Employment (Article 23): persons with disabilities have the right to employment suitable to their personal conditions and needs, both in rural and urban areas.

Public transport (Article 47): in taxi concessions, the Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT) must include at least 10 % of vehicles adapted for passengers with disabilities.

Education (Articles 14 and 18): guarantees timely access to education—from early stimulation to higher education—in both public and private systems. Students with special educational needs have the right to be taught in regular classrooms with the support services they require, rather than being segregated by default.

Sanctions (Articles 75 and 78): the law provides fines for discrimination based on disability (referenced to a base salary) and for improperly parking in a reserved space. The exact fine amounts are updated by later reforms and circulars—check the current amount in the official source before citing a specific figure.

Note: this fact sheet summarizes the most consulted articles of a law with more than 80 articles. For the full text and its amendments, consult SCIJ (Sistema Costarricense de Informacion Juridica) or the Consejo Nacional de Personas con Discapacidad (CONAPDIS) for a specific case.