Guide Dog owners being illegally turned away from businesses and services

A local MP has visited an exhibition stand to learn more about the devastating impact of Guide Dog owners being illegally turned away from businesses and services.

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, also took part in an interactive quiz at the recent Labour Party conference in Liverpool which demonstrated the many everyday places from which guide dog owners are frequently turned away.

The Guide Dogs charity’s latest survey found 88 per cent of guide dog owners have been refused entry or asked to leave a business or other venue because they were with their guide dog.

Thousands of people with sight loss rely on guide dogs to live independently. Yet people are being stopped from going about their daily lives, being turned away from cafés, restaurants, shops and even when going to medical appointments.

Minicab and taxis continue to be one of the most common sources of rejections with 58 per cent saying a minicab or taxi driver or company had refused to take them with their guide dog.

The charity is calling for all taxi and minicab staff to take part in training as part of the licensing process so they understand the role of guide and other assistance dogs, and the legal rights of their owners.

Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said:

“Guide dogs are not a pet, they’re essential for many people to travel and live independently. But too many guide dog owners continue to face frustrating and often upsetting discrimination when trying to get out and about.

“We’re calling for better enforcement and education to prevent access refusals from happening in the first place. The high level of refusals in minicabs and taxis demonstrates the clear need for all minicab and taxi drivers to have high-quality disability equality training to prevent these refusals from happening in the first place.”

Pictured:  Justin Madders MP with Penny and her guide dog Questa.