In 2020, 163 persons with visual problems were aided, as the allocated financial resources for this purpose amounted to 237,973 BGN. This year, the Social Protection Fund with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy will continue to provide assistance for the purchase of equipment to compensate for visual deficits, such as readers with software, laptops, screen readers, dictaphones / players for blind persons, and electronic video magnifiers. This was said by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Denitsa Sacheva during the opening of a new elevator to support the movement of persons in the Centre for Social Rehabilitation and Integrations of Persons with Visual Impairment “Svetlina”.

One of the next tasks of the SPF is to provide funding for a modern Bulgarian-speaking synthesizer for persons with visual impairments. It is extremely important for the information and communication technologies – a powerful tool that enables different persons to participate in the information society.

During the event, which was attended by the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy Lazar Lazarov, a tour was made of the company, which employs 45 persons, 24 of whom are blind. According to Vasil Dolapchiev, President of the Union of the Blind Persons, the compound, where 250 blind individuals and their families live, has undergone many improvements thanks to various government programs and is now renovated, with new windows and has computer training rooms, psychological consultations, a gym, a showdown hall, etc.