site.btaNew Project Examines Accessibility of Sofia’s Cultural Institutions for People With Visual Impairments

The project Accessible Culture – Sofia for All examines the accessibility of Sofia’s cultural institutions for people with visual impairments, the project organizers said on Friday.

A joint initiative of ARTessible Association and the Louis Braille, 1928 National Community Centre for the Blind, the project seeks to find out what visiting a theatre, museum or gallery is like for someone who is blind or has low vision. The assessment covers the visitor’s entire journey: reaching the building and entrance, safe movement, orientation and navigation, access to information and cultural content, and the institution’s readiness to welcome visitors with visual impairments. Official websites are also assessed for digital accessibility.

The project combines on-site assessments, evaluations of digital accessibility and the direct experiences of blind and partially sighted people. A dedicated methodology and assessment tools were developed and refined through consultations with blind users, focusing not simply on whether accessibility measures exist, but on whether they actually work independently in practice.

The results will be compiled in a digital report and discussed with institutions, experts and people with visual impairments, providing practical guidance for creating a more inclusive cultural environment in Sofia.