Moray Conservative MP DOUGLAS ROSS is supporting a campaign to tackle discrimination against guide dog owners.
After attending an event in Parliament organised by the charity Guide Dogs, Douglas said: “More than a hundred guide dog owners from across the country came to Parliament to share their experiences of being turned away by businesses because of their dog. No one should be turned away because of their assistance dog.
“I spoke with a large group from Scotland who had difficulties even getting a taxi to Parliament as the driver refused to take guide dogs, even though the booking had been made through the Guide Dogs charity! Everyone I met highlighted the lasting impact of being refused entry to taxis, restaurants and even high street shops because they have a dog with them. When someone relies on their guide dog to get around, businesses who refuse them access are effectively slamming the door in their face.”
It is against the law to refuse access to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog except in exceptional circumstances, yet a new Guide Dogs survey found that three out of four assistance dog owners had been turned away because of their dogs.
Douglas added: “It was disturbing to hear how common these incidents of discrimination are. No one should be turned away because of their assistance dog. I fully support Guide Dogs’ Access All Areas campaign to tackle the ignorance that causes access refusals.
“In Moray there is an active network of Guide Dogs’ supporters and while I have never heard of anyone being turned away from businesses in Moray because they have a guide dog, and I hope that our reputation for friendliness and understanding means that anyone with an assistance dog is made to feel welcome in our shops and other businesses.”
Chris Theobald, Public Affairs Manager at Guide Dogs, said: “The law is very clear that assistance dog owners have the same rights as anyone else to shop, take a taxi or visit their local restaurant. Despite this, our survey shows assistance dog owners face refusals on a regular basis. Businesses have a responsibility to make sure all their staff welcome assistance dog owners. That’s why we are calling for disability equality training as standard in sectors where refusals are common. We also support an overhaul of equality legislation so that businesses that refuse access face the full consequences of the law.”