Closing the Door to Guide Dog Discrimination

Navendu Mishra MP supports Guide Dogs’ campaign to end discrimination against owners of guide dogs.

Researchers have found that a large number of guide dog owners are being illegally turned away by businesses.

Guide dogs can have a transformational impact on the lives of their owners and it is critical that businesses do not exclude visually impaired people from public spaces by banning assistance dogs. The Equality Act of 2010 enshrined this protection as a legal right.

Yet research conducted by Guide Dogs, a leading UK guide dog charity, shows that 81% of guide dog owners have been refused entry by businesses. Almost three-quarters (73%) reported being turned away within the last 12 months.

Being denied access to businesses and services such as restaurants, cafes, minicabs and convenience stores has a significant impact on the lives of guide dog owners. It undermines their confidence, independence and wellbeing by shutting them out of public life. 

Guide Dogs have launched their Let’s Open Doors campaign to challenge this discrimination. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the rights of guide dog owners and the need for better enforcement and stronger laws. Campaigners aim to make it easier for illegal refusals to be reported and for more meaningful penalties to be imposed. 

I have pledged my support for the Let’s Open Doors campaign. I submitted a Written Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Women and Equalities to ask what steps the Government is taking to ensure that guide dog owners are not refused entry by businesses.

Stuart Andrew noted that the Equality Act prohibits discrimination against disabled people and obliges service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve access, which “could include allowing the use of assistance dogs”. Yet it is clear that there is a discrepancy between what the law states and the reality of life for many guide dog owners. More must be done to ensure that they have the right to live full and independent lives. 

For more information: Open Doors Campaign | Guide Dogs