On June 30, the “Social Future” Foundation and JAMBA held the international online conference “Equal Chance, Different Opportunities: Accessible Careers”, dedicated to the professional development and realization of people with disabilities in Bulgaria and around the world.
The event was organized as part of the European project BG05SFPR002-2.005-0113 “Equal Chance for Young People with Disabilities in the Labor Market” and brought together participants, speakers, experts, employers, representatives of institutions, non-governmental organizations, and people with different abilities.
The conference focused on the following topics:
- How can professions become more accessible?
- What barriers continue to exist?
- How can technology, remote work, and best practices open up new opportunities?
From Disability to Opportunities
At the beginning of the conference, Kristian Grigorov from Social Future highlighted JAMBA’s mission and the organization’s long-standing work in supporting the professional development and employment of people with disabilities.
JAMBA started as an initiative focused on people with hearing impairments and later expanded its work to include people with various types of disabilities. The organization created Bulgaria’s first job platform for people with disabilities and has developed training programs, career counseling services, and partnerships with companies.
The concept of “people with different abilities” was also at the heart of the conference. It does not deny the challenges people face; rather, it adds the missing focus on each person’s skills, talent, and contribution.
Konstantinos Samaras from Greece: Deafness Is Not the Same for Everyone
One of the first international speakers at the conference was Konstantinos Samaras from Greece. He was born deaf and shared his personal story of growing up in a hearing environment.
His story placed a strong emphasis on communication barriers. He highlighted that deaf people are not all the same. Some use sign language, others speak, some write, and many people combine different forms of communication.
Konstantinos advocated for a bilingual approach, in which deaf people have access to both sign language and spoken language. According to him, this expands opportunities for education, employment, and social inclusion.
He also shared his own professional journey. He initially studied business administration and worked in the fields of economics and logistics, but gradually realized that his path lay elsewhere. He turned toward education, special education, sign language, writing, and art.
One of his strongest messages was that people should not choose a profession simply because society expects them to. Everyone should understand their limitations, but also follow their interests, abilities, and dreams.
Konstantinos also spoke about discrimination. According to him, employers often choose a hearing candidate over a deaf candidate, even when the two have the same education and experience. The reason is not a lack of abilities, but fear of the communication barrier.
The solution, in his view, is clear: more accessible environments, more interpreters, more speech-to-text technologies, and greater willingness on the part of employers to give people a chance before rejecting them.
Dilyana Deneva: Digital Marketing as a Profession Without the Need for a Traditional Office
Dilyana Deneva presented her professional journey in digital marketing and LinkedIn marketing. She has a physical disability that she acquired after a car accident at the age of 18.
Her story began with a difficult period of recovery. She explained that, at first, her goals were focused on small physical improvements. Gradually, however, she realized that she wanted to develop her mind and move forward through education.
After receiving no response from Bulgarian universities regarding study opportunities, she turned to distance learning at the British The Open University, where she enrolled in psychology.
This step proved to be a turning point. Dilyana emphasized that learning does not end with a single degree. It continues throughout life, especially when a person needs to discover new opportunities for themselves.
Later, she began working for a European organization focused on the rights of people with disabilities, took part in international training programs, traveled, and gradually built her professional confidence. She then joined an online media outlet dedicated to books and reading and later became part of a digital agency.
Her experience shows that digital marketing can be an accessible profession, especially for people with physical disabilities. The work can be done remotely, meetings can take place online, and technology allows the work process to be adapted.
Dilyana emphasized that modern tools make it possible for people to work with a computer even when they cannot use a standard mouse or keyboard. According to her, professions related to marketing, content creation, communications, and social media can be suitable for many people with different abilities, provided that sufficient support and adaptation are available.
Julio Mbura from Kenya: Assistive Technologies Are the Key to Independence
Julio Mbura, a lawyer and disability rights advocate from Kenya, presented an international perspective on accessible employment. He works with the organization Enable and has experience in the fields of digital accessibility, assistive technologies, and legal protection.
Julio emphasized that people with disabilities are not a homogeneous group. Even people with the same disability can have different needs. That is why employers should avoid making universal assumptions and instead look for specific solutions.
He described workplace accessibility as a process that begins with the job advertisement, continues through the interview, adaptation, onboarding, and everyday work.
According to him, employers need to consider specific tools and measures: screen readers, sign language interpretation, assistive devices, additional time for completing tasks, accessible communication, and team training on etiquette and working with people with disabilities.
Julio also placed strong emphasis on the way candidates with disabilities present themselves. According to him, it is not enough for someone to say, “I am blind” or “I am deaf.” It is important to show what skills they have, what technologies they use, and how they will handle the specific job requirements.
He gave an example related to job applications. If a person is told that a position requires Excel skills, they should demonstrate that they can work with Excel. In the same way, if they have a disability, they should explain how they overcome barriers through technology, skills, and organization.
His message was powerful: disability should not be presented as a weakness. It can be part of a person’s identity, but professional value comes from skills, experience, and the willingness to take responsibility.
Borislav Staykov: Digital Accessibility Is a Profession with Real Value
Borislav Staykov presented the profession of a digital accessibility specialist. He is visually impaired and has built a long career in information technology, system support, software testing, and accessibility.
Borislav explained that he was born with glaucoma. At an early age, he lost vision in one eye, while his vision in the other remained limited. He attended a specialized school for children with visual impairments, where he started learning Braille and later used his remaining vision with the help of high magnification.
His interest in technology began with his family, which included electricians. Although his visual impairment made it difficult for him to pursue electrical engineering as a profession, it never stopped his interest in technology.
In 2014, he started working as a system support and system administration specialist. Later, after completing training through JAMBA, he moved into software quality assurance. This opened the door to the field of digital accessibility.
Today, Borislav works as a senior digital accessibility expert. He tests platforms, websites, and digital services to ensure they can be used by people with visual, hearing, cognitive, and physical impairments.
He emphasized that practical experience with assistive technologies is a major advantage in this profession. Screen readers, Braille displays, content magnification, and high-contrast settings are not simply support tools. They are instruments that help specialists understand the real barriers users face.
Borislav also shared a concrete result of his work: he has contributed to more than 14 projects aimed at improving the digital accessibility of platforms, including online stores, banking services, and insurance services.
Pavlin Lazarov: Graphic Design and Freelancing as an Entry Point to the Labor Market
Pavlin Lazarov, a young freelance graphic designer, presented the perspective of someone who is just beginning to build his professional path.
He is 22 years old and shared that he has known JAMBA for more than a year after completing a soft skills course. He enrolled because he wanted to improve his communication skills in a professional environment.
Pavlin became interested in graphic design while he was still in school. He discovered Photoshop during art classes and later continued developing his skills through courses at SoftUni.
He presented graphic design as a profession that can be suitable for people with physical disabilities, including cerebral palsy, as long as a person can work with at least one hand and use a mouse and keyboard shortcuts.
As a major advantage, Pavlin highlighted the opportunity to work from home or from any other location. This reduces barriers related to transportation, office environments, and physical accessibility.
He was also open about the challenges. According to him, some employers in Bulgaria are still hesitant to hire people with disabilities because they see administrative complications or have doubts in advance about whether the person will be able to perform the job.
That is why Pavlin sees freelancing as a more flexible option. With freelancing, clients evaluate the results rather than a person’s physical presence in an office. This is a practical, yet important, perspective on accessible employment.
Anthony Reyers from Belgium: Music, Teamwork, and Artificial Intelligence as Tools for Independence
Anthony Reyers from Belgium presented a different professional field: music, DJing, and production.
He is blind and has progressive hearing loss related to a genetic condition. With a sense of humor, he noted that becoming a DJ may not seem like the most obvious choice for someone facing visual and hearing challenges. However, it became exactly the path he chose.
Anthony shared that he was initially interested in radio, podcasts, and media. During COVID-19, he began streaming music and DJ sets online. To his surprise, this attracted an audience because people were not only listening to music but also seeing someone overcome barriers through talent and technology.
After the pandemic, his career developed significantly. He performed at major international festivals such as Tomorrowland, A State of Trance, and Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas.
One of his most important messages was that success is not an individual sport. He spoke about the role of his partner Zander, with whom they complement each other professionally. For Anthony, having a strong team is essential, especially when a person needs to overcome inaccessible technologies or environments.
Anthony also spoke about artificial intelligence. He uses AI and vibe coding to create tools that help him with communication, organization, music analysis, and preparation for performances. These include an email assistant, support with booking agents, documents, travel arrangements, and organizing music files.
His example showed that technology can be much more than a convenience. It can become a bridge to independence.
Pancho Karamanski: Talent Has Value, and Accessibility Should Not Fall Behind Technology
Pancho Karamanski, a music producer, sound engineer, and trainer, expanded on the topics introduced by Anthony.
He spoke openly about the professional journey in the music industry, working with leading Bulgarian artists, and the moment when a person reaches the limits of a particular professional direction.
Pancho raised an important issue: people with disabilities are often raised with the idea that they have to be twice as good in order to be accepted as equals. Based on his experience, this often proves to be true. However, he also warned about the other side of success.
When someone becomes highly skilled, they can also become an easy target for exploitation. In creative industries in particular, there are people who take advantage of others’ desire to prove themselves. That is why Pancho emphasized the need for strong self-confidence, the ability to say “no,” and a realistic assessment of one’s work.
He also addressed a serious problem: touchscreen technology. For many people, it is a convenience. For blind people, however, it is often a barrier. Pancho gave examples involving coffee machines, banking devices, terminals, applications, and professional music equipment where the lack of physical buttons or accessible navigation excludes users with visual impairments.
At the same time, he pointed to a solution: people with disabilities are increasingly starting to create their own tools to solve specific problems. Artificial intelligence and new forms of programming make it possible to develop custom applications when standard solutions are not accessible.
Yanka Trachuk: Entrepreneurship as a Way to Create Your Own Workplace
Yanka Trachuk presented the story of ALAN Furniture, a custom-made furniture business that she runs together with her husband, Denis.
Yanka was born completely deaf. She shared that she only began communicating with deaf people and learning sign language at the age of 16. Later, she started looking for work, but employers were often confused by the fact that she could speak but could not hear.
She gave an example of a job interview during which she was told that she would need to speak on the phone. When she explained that this was not possible, the response was: “Don’t worry, you’ll learn.” This example clearly shows that the problem is often not a person’s abilities, but rather a lack of understanding in the surrounding environment.
Yanka and her husband started their business almost from scratch. At first, they only had one screwdriver and no workspace of their own. Gradually, they developed the business, created a Facebook page, and began attracting customers.
Communicating with clients was also a challenge. Yanka explained that when she receives a call from an unknown number, she copies the number into Viber and writes to the person explaining that she is deaf and cannot speak on the phone. This way, the conversation continues in writing.
Over time, clients realize that communication is not as difficult as they initially think. It requires attention, visual contact, and a willingness to explain things clearly. Meanwhile, the quality of the work becomes the strongest form of advertising.
Yanka emphasized that in a business such as custom-made furniture, sympathy cannot be the main factor. Clients pay significant amounts of money and expect quality. This means that trust is earned through results.
She also spoke about another business related to gift boxes, which she manages as well. Her dream is to create a product that will generate more orders and make it possible to include more people with different abilities, including those who can work from home.
Teodor Bachvarov: Deaf Baristas and Accessible Training Through Sign Language
Teodor Bachvarov presented the project for training deaf baristas, implemented with the support of JAMBA and Starbucks.
Teodor has hearing loss and uses sign language. He shared his personal journey and how he began developing his career in the coffee industry. At first, he did not know how coffee was made and doubted whether this could be a possible profession for him. However, through training, practice, and support, he managed to grow and develop his skills.
Later, he became a mentor for deaf baristas. His role is to adapt the training process so that it is understandable and accessible for people who use sign language.
The project demonstrates an important model: the employer provides a genuine employment opportunity, while JAMBA and the mentors create a bridge between the candidate, the training process, and the workplace environment.
Teodor shared that he has already trained nine people, some of whom are now successfully employed. He sees his role not only as professional training, but also as proof that deaf people can be a fully integrated part of a team when the environment is prepared and supportive.
Simeon Boyadzhiev: Cooking as Discipline, Hygiene, and Love for the Craft
Simeon Boyadzhiev, who is involved in JAMBA’s catering activities, shared his experience working in the kitchen.
He explained that he has been part of JAMBA for two years and that this type of work was new to him at the beginning. Gradually, he learned how to follow recipes, prepare ingredients, organize deliveries, and maintain high hygiene standards.
Simeon emphasized that in the culinary field, cleanliness, preparation, and consistency are essential. He also trains other young people, using sign language and practical examples.
His message was simple and powerful: cooking requires love. Without it, food does not have the same meaning.
JAMBA as an Environment for Skills, Careers, and Confidence
At the end of the conference, JAMBA’s social enterprises were also presented, including activities related to catering and the production of scented candles.
Participants shared how cooking, candle making, and teamwork help them develop skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
This highlighted another important aspect of accessible professions: not every profession is suitable for every person, but almost every field can offer a role when individual abilities, needs, and circumstances are carefully considered.
The Main Conclusion: Accessibility Is a Shared Responsibility
The conference “Equal Chance, Different Opportunities: Accessible Careers” showed that accessible employment is not only a matter of good intentions. It requires knowledge, an adapted environment, technology, training, employer openness, and active participation from candidates themselves.
The main conclusions from the event included:
- people with disabilities are not all the same, and solutions must be individual;
- employers should focus on skills first, rather than limitations;
- technology can unlock new professions, but it can also create new barriers;
- remote work, digital professions, and freelancing provide real opportunities;
- assistive technologies should be part of the workplace environment;
- training in soft skills, communication, and professional behaviour is essential;
- success stories change attitudes when they lead to real solutions.
The conference concluded with a message of change. The world does not become more accessible only through major decisions. Sometimes change begins with one employer who decides to give someone a chance. With one candidate who demonstrates their skills. With one organization that builds a bridge. With one technology that removes a barrier.