A. LEGISLATION
1. What legislative measures are being taken in your country to facilitate the mobility of people with disabilities in general? (Accessibility of roads, transport, buildings) when should they apply?
Mobility in general is regulated by the Low for Integration of people with disabilities and the Ordinance №4 for accessible environment.
2. Are there specific measures for the visually impaired? If so, describe them briefly.
Yes. Sound traffic lights, tactile sidewalks, talking information boards at public transport stops and in the public transport but only in the big cities.
3. How are these measures implemented? Are visually impaired Associations associated with their application? If so, how?
Our organizations put under pressure the authorities and show the conflict cross-points
4. Have they already produced tangible results?
Yes
5. What are the penalties for non-application of the above measures?
No penalties.
B. TRAVEL AID
6. What are the main technical aids used by visually impaired people in your country for mobility: long cane, optical aids, electronic aids, GPS?
All the above mentioned.
6.1. How are they distributed?
UBB is the supplier and sell them on special reduced prices to its members.
6.2. Is training provided during their acquisition?
Yes.
6.3. How are they funded in the acquisition?
see 6.1.
6.4. How are guaranteed and financed repairs, maintenance?
Maintenance is at the charge of individuals.
6.5. Is the white cane recognized as a symbol of visual impairment? If yes, specify the conditions related to its attribution, sanctions in cases of abuse, specific provisions regarding its use.
No.
7. Is research conducted in your country to develop new assistive devices? If yes, please specify. How are visually impaired people associated with this research?
No.
C. LOCOMOTION TRAINING
8. How are visually impaired people in your country trained in mobility? (Specify training in the regular school or specialized in functional rehabilitation for people who lose their sight as adults, in the context of structures for the elderly.)
Day rehabilitation centres and special schools for blind children
9. What is the training undertaken by mobility instructors? Is it recognized by an official certificate? If yes, specify briefly the content of the training. Is there any on-the-job training for mobility instructors?
Special programs for training in the National Rehabilitation Centre for Blind in town of Plovdiv.
D. AUTONOMY IN DAILY LIFE
10. Help with daily life: how are the visually impaired in your country trained to be autonomous in daily life?
In Day rehabilitation centres.
11. Is there specific support? If so by which professionals is it provided and in what context? What is the training of these professionals?
National programs for personal social assistants and home helpers.
12. Does your country have training for instructors in autonomy? Is there a certificate recognized by the State?
No.
E. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PROFESSIONALS
13. Is the public informed of the mobility needs of visually impaired people? If yes, by whom and how.
Via campaigns of UBB and some media.
14. Do professionals who interact with visually impaired people have any specific training or awareness training concerning visual impairment?
Yes. In Sofia University there is a subject “Social Pedagogy”. Also, there are subjects – rehabilitators and social workers.