BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTS NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

The Bulgarian government adopted a National Strategy for People with Disabilities 2016 – 2020. The aim is to ensure equal opportunities and foster their full and active participation in economic, social and cultural life.

The priorities set out in the strategic document include provision of access to living environment, transport and transportation services, information and communication, as well as equal access to inclusive education at all levels and possibilities for lifelong learning. Another priority is the provision of efficient access to quality health services, conditions for employment of people with disabilities and adequate support to sports, recreation, tourism and participation in cultural life.

The document foresees the approval of a two-year and a three-year action plan which will contain specific measures, indicators for their implementation, responsible bodies and sources of the necessary funding. The monitoring and assessment of the implementation will be carried out by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

The vision of the strategy is Bulgaria to provide opportunities for gradual achievement of the objectives and principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.