Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Inclusion International - ILSMH

Bulgaria

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997 National Society for Support of People with Mental Handicap, Bulgaria
No reply was received from the Government of Bulgaria.

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in law and in policy adopted by NGOs. The emphasis in this policy is on rehabilitation.

Since the adoption of the Rules the government has not done anything to initiate or support information campaigns conveying the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by a combination of special legislation and general legislation.

General legislation applies to persons with different disabilities with respect to education, employment, the right to privacy and to property rights. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation and counselling, financial security, employment.

The Law of Protection Rehabilitation and Social Integration of Disabled People has been enacted since the adoption of the Rules.

Accessibility

There are no rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority. The following measures have been promoted to facilitate accessibility in the built environment: marking parking areas and providing specially adapted motor vehicles. There is special transport only for the capital, Sofia. When planning to build accessible environments the economic/budgetary factors are the most difficult obstacle. There is no disability awareness component incorporated in the training of planners, architects and construction engineers.

Sign language for deaf people is recognized as the official language of deaf people and is used as the first language in education of deaf people. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible to persons with disabilities. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others: literature in Braille/tape and easy readers for persons with mental disabilities.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization in which all organizations are represented. There are legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making and to work with governmental institutions. Organizations of persons with disabilities are often consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. The government financially supports existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government and legislatures but to a great extent in political parties and NGOs. The role of disabled persons organizations is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, contribute to public awareness and promote/organize income generating activities.

Co-ordination of work

The national co-ordinating committee is reporting to the Prime Minister's office. The committee includes representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities and of other NGOs. The government expects the national co-ordinating committee to participate in policy development. It is too early for an assessment of the effects of national co-ordinating committee.

The adoption of the Standard Rules has led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

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