Craig Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has helped to raise awareness of the rights of assistance dog owners at an event organised by Guide Dogs.
The law gives assistance dog owners, including guide dog owners, the right to access businesses and services.
But, according to Guide Dogs, 81% of guide dog owners have been refused access to a restaurant, shop or taxi at some point because of their dog. This has a significant negative impact on the confidence, independence and well-being of people who use guide dogs.
In response, Guide Dogs launched their Open Doors campaign earlier this year to raise awareness of the rights assistance dog owners have, and to urge the Government to strengthen the law so access refusals don’t happen.
Guide dog owners who experience an access refusal can report them to Guide Dogs via their app available on iOS and Android. Search “Guide Dogs” in your app store.
Mr Hoy, who is Scotland’s Shadow Minister for Social Care, said: “Over 20,000 people in the UK rely on a guide dog to go about their day-to-day life.
“It is vital that shops and services are sensitive to the needs of guide dog owners and provide appropriate support to disabled and visually impaired people where they can to ensure equal access to all.”
Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said: “Guide Dog owners have the right to access businesses and services but all too often they are challenged and unlawfully refused. This is a deeply harmful form of discrimination that impacts the daily lives of guide dog owners.
“That’s why we want to see the law strengthened on access rights for assistance dogs, to prevent access refusals and to open doors for guide dogs.”
