Guide dog owners in the UK are facing widespread ignorance and exclusion from everyday activities, with nearly 90% being refused entry to businesses and services. According to Eleanor Briggs, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, many guide dog owners are subjected to repetitive questioning and humiliation, forcing them to leave establishments. This is despite the fact that businesses' own policies state that assistance dogs are welcome.
Joanne Hewitson, a guide dog owner from Hartlepool, recently experienced this firsthand when she was asked for identification for her guide dog, Rosie, at a local pub. This experience is not unique, with many others facing similar issues in pubs, restaurants, taxis, shops, and essential services.
Guide dogs are essential for individuals with visual impairments, enabling them to live independently. However, the constant need to justify their presence and explain their disability is exhausting and can chip away at the confidence of some individuals. The onus is not on guide dog owners to educate staff, but rather on businesses to provide adequate training and awareness.
The government is urged to take action to strengthen the Equality Act and make it explicit that businesses cannot refuse guide and other assistance dogs. Disability equality training for staff is also crucial to prevent ignorance and ensure that individuals with disabilities are treated with respect and dignity.