Black Sea beaches become accessible to people with disabilities. For this purpose, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works developed the necessary technical requirements in a draft Ordinance to supplement Ordinance No. RD-02-20-2 of 2021 to determine the requirements for accessibility and universal design of the elements of the accessible environment in the urbanized territory and of buildings and facilities.
The new requirements are dictated by the changes in the Law on the organization of the Black Sea coast.
It has created provisions that require special technical requirements for the accessibility of sea beaches, determined by the Ministerial Council for accessibility by people with disabilities on the proposal of the Minister of Tourism, agreed with the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works and the Minister of Labor and Social Policy.
In accordance with the provisions of the ZUCHK “accessible sea beach for people with disabilities” must be provided with free and free access for movement of people with motor disabilities from the entrance to the beach to and into the sea, changing rooms, toilets and movable objects for quick service, as well as to the showers, umbrellas, sunbeds and sports and recreational facilities, which must be constructed in a suitable way for people with mobility difficulties.
The Ordinance defines the requirements for the accessible entrance to the beach and its designation, the routes to sea beaches, etc. It is assumed that the access of people with motor disabilities to the sea water will be done by offering services for the provision of facilities – beach wheelchairs and/or beach crutches, which allow stable movement on the sand and in the water.
On the accessible routes, in the areas adjacent to the accessible sea beach, signs pointing to the beach will be placed or other suitable guidance systems indicated by the international symbol of accessibility will be used.
Where parking is provided at the accessible sea beach, at least one accessible parking space will be provided. It is mandatory to provide information about accessible services for people with disabilities in order to prevent risks and accidents. The information will be in graphic signs and/or captions and tactile/audio (via tactile strips, tactile signs, tactile maps, Braille text, voice information and/or guidance systems).
In cases where pets are not allowed on the beach, exceptions will be made for guide dogs for visually impaired people.
The requirements are that the routes along the accessible sea beaches are continuous along the entire length and without steps, have a longitudinal slope of no more than 5%, and have a width without obstacles of no less than 150 cm. I will also have to take into account the change in sea water level at high and low tides, as well as the characteristic agitation of the sea beach in question.
It is also envisaged that there will be at least one accessible changing room near the accessible entrance of each accessible sea beach, which will be marked with the international accessibility symbol. There is also a requirement that the accessible beach shade area with beach pavement is linked to the accessible beach route.
Beach shade areas will be available in the area, each with a minimum size of 4 meters by 4 meters and an umbrella with two sunbeds.
The accessible beach shade area is intended to be up to 0.5% of the active beach area, with no less than 5 accessible sites.
The proposed technical requirements for accessibility to sea beaches for people with disabilities are new to our legislation. In accordance with a reasoned proposal of the Minister of Tourism, it is proposed that the Ordinance supplementing Ordinance No. RD-02-20-2 of 2021 enter into force on January 1, 2026.
The reasons for the entry into force of the ordinance from January 1, 2026 are both the time required for the preparation and adoption of the acts required by the ZID of the ZUCK (promulgated, SG No. 39 of 2024) and the time required for the creation of organization for the subsequent bringing of the accessible sea beaches in accordance with the requirements of the legislation.
The draft Ordinance has been published for public discussion in the Public Consultation Portal, as well as in the “Drafts of Normative Acts” section of the website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Development.
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