Visually Impaired People Identify Accessibility Gaps in Sofia Metro

Kristina Ivanova, Borislava Bibinovska

Visually impaired people participate in accessibility gaps inspection at Serdika metro station, Sofia, June 22, 2026 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)

Sofia,

22.06.2026 13:09

(BTA)

Visually impaired citizens pointed out accessibility gaps in the Sofia Metro during an inspection at the Serdika metro station on Monday, part of the Step Forward with Confidence campaign organized by the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) and Union of the Blind in Bulgaria.

Participants in the accessibility review drew attention to the lack of warning lines marking where stairs begin or end, and tactile guide lines to direct them to the metro entrance.

"I do not know where to enter the metro from once I have gone down the stairs," said Nedyalko Dimov from a centre for people with visual impairments. "There are no guide lines leading to the turnstiles, so we rely on help from others and a cane," Dimov said, adding that most metro stations lack such guide lines.

CPD Chair Elka Bozhova said: "Our task is to create an accessible environment for people with visual impairments. All metro stations, traffic lights and public buildings will be inspected, after which a report analysis with recommendations will be prepared for the responsible institutions."

Union of the Blind Chair Vasil Dolapchiev said that the regulatory framework governing mobility for people with disabilities is solid, but it is not being implemented in public projects.

Metropolitan JSC Director Nikolay Naydenov also participated to see firsthand what challenges people face. He assured the citizens that the Sofia Metro complies with European accessibility standards. "We have met all international requirements for the construction of metro stations - there are enough ramps, escalators, and working elevators," Naydenov said.

Filip Dimitrov, who uses a wheelchair, was adamant that people with mobility impairments face serious difficulties when using public transportation in Sofia. Dimitrov said that even if someone wanted to help him, it would be difficult for them to lift and carry him and his wheelchair, because the combined weight is about 300 kg. He recently encountered such a problem at the Central Railway Station, even though a police officer had offered to assist him.

The lack of tactile, guide, and boundary lines is the biggest challenge in training the visually impaired, instructor Gergana Barzakova told BTA. Mobility training is individualized, and everyone needs a different amount of time to learn, she added.

Other cities will also be inspected as part of the Step Forward with Confidence campaign.

/RY/