MP Ivan Yanev of Progressive Bulgaria has called for real accessibility for people with visual impairments in architecture, transport and the digital world. His statement was read in parliament to mark White Cane Day on 15 October.

Yanev said the 20th century gave the world the white cane, and in the 21st century accessibility must be real, not just a wish. He said the cane is a tool for getting around and a symbol of independence, but it needs the right conditions to work. On paper, accessibility is well set out, he said, but in practice things do not happen systematically.

He said it is the job of MPs to set up the country so that people with a white cane can move along a safe path.

Yanev thanked his colleagues for making it possible for blind people to vote on their own and independently. The rules were added to the Electoral Code in July this year. The MP said the secrecy of the vote is now truly secret. When the white cane and the secret ballot meet, he said, one can finally speak of equal rights.

The MP also gave advice on how to speak to a person with a visual impairment whom we may meet in the street, the metro or on public transport. First, we should touch the person to get their attention. If we only ask "Do you want me to help you?" without touching them, the person will not know we are speaking to them.

A leaflet with tips on how to talk to people with visual impairments will be left in MPs' mailboxes.