site.btaCommission for Protection against Discrimination Honours Bulgarian News Agency for Consistent Efforts to Build Accessible Environment

The Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) presented an award to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) for consistent efforts to build an accessible environment. The award was handed to BTA Director General Kiril Valchev at a special ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the Commission’s establishment.

Until recently, a person with disabilities could not reach the fourth floor of BTA’s emblematic building because there was no lift, Valchev noted. "We installed an elevator and built access platforms," he said, adding that the building in Sofia is now fully accessible for people with disabilities.

Valchev also said that BTA has 32 national press clubs in all regional centres and in six large cities that are not regional capitals. Exactly 16 of them are fully accessible, while access to the remaining 16 is difficult, as they are mainly located in municipal or state-owned buildings, he explained.

"Yesterday we signed an agreement with the CPD to support the ‘Accessible Bulgaria’ campaign, and BTA will try to be an example, with the help of the Commission, for change so that we can have 100% accessible Bulgaria," the BTA Director General added.

An award was also presented to Vasil Vasilev, Director of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Mihail Hadzhiyanev, Chair of the Burgas Municipal Council, received the award for the municipality’s efforts to create an accessible environment.