New Delhi, Aug 5 - In an effort to keep abreast with international norms, hotels in India will adopt changes to become disabled friendly by next year, the tourism ministry said here Wednesday.

'The ministry has tried to address major concerns to make the classification norms of hotels friendlier for the differently abled persons by adopting the international best practices,' said the ministry in a statement issued here.

'Existing and new hotels of all categories all over the country would now have to comply with the requirements for the differently abled persons in respect of accessibility, special rooms with bathrooms and facilities etc. in the public area by September 1, 2010,' it added.

The much awaited Commonwealth Games, for which the tourism ministry is gearing up with various initiatives to attract tourists, will take place October 2010.