BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Thursday adopted a law amendment to better protect the country's more than 83 million disabled, in the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in September.

The amendment to the Law on Protection of the Disabled, which has been discussed twice by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) in February and April, was expected to go into effect July 1.

It is the initial law amendment adopted by the 11th NPC Standing Committee, which convened its first meeting in March.

A revision of a 1991 law, the amendment was drawn up to "tackle new circumstances and problems" cropping up amid economic and social advances, Civil Affairs Minister Li Xueju was quoted earlier this week.

The amendment added details about stable financial support, better medical care and rehabilitation for the disabled, along with favorable jobs and tax policies.

It stipulated governments at all levels to provide better education, higher-living standards and more jobs for the country's disabled.

Governments at county level or above should provide stable funding and draw up annual plans to help the disabled, it said.

Governments and social organizations, enterprises, and non-government organizations should have a quota of disabled people on their payroll, and should contribute to the disabled in other aspects if they failed to meet the quota.

Government purchase should also give priority to products or services provided by the disabled, according to the amendment.

"No one should force the disabled into labor using violence, threats or depriving them of their personal freedom," it said.

It stressed the need to build and improve physical facilities that would make it easier for the disabled.

As China promised to allow guide dogs to enter public places during the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, the amendment agreed to lift such bans. It said relevant regulations should be observed when guide dogs are used in aid of the disabled entering public venues.

The disabled should be guaranteed the right to play a fair role in social life and share the fruits of China's economic and social development, the amendment said.

According to the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the country has about 83 million disabled, accounting for 6.34 percent of the population. More than 75 percent of the disabled live in rural areas.