Championing service dogs’ rights
Tasmanians who need the help of service dogs are still often being denied entry to taxis or cafes – something that needs to change says Guide Dogs Tasmania business manager Kim Ryan.
On International Guide Dog Day on Wednesday, the organisation is raising awareness of the problem and reminding service providers it is illegal to refuse entry to a person with an assistance dog.
“We have a number of dogs across the state who unfortunately, when they’re out and about with their clients at times, have been refused entry to taxis, to Ubers, to hotels, to cafes,” Ms Ryan said.
“Under the Guide Dogs and Hearing Dogs Act, our working dogs do have access rights and we’re trying to promote that awareness that guide dogs can go anywhere.
“I don’t think a lot of people do it on purpose, it’s just a misunderstanding about the laws around assistance dogs.”
Ms Ryan said discrimination was a common occurrence in taxis.
“We have a client that had been waiting for a taxi and unfortunately the taxi has driven straight past them and not picked them up,” she said.
“That client has developed an anxiety to go out places because they know of the challenge it’s going to be to access public transport.
“We do have clients that have become housebound because they have had ongoing trouble.
“Also, just to have to speak out and constantly challenge that ‘I’m allowed in your taxi, I’m allowed in your venue,’ is quite hard for some of our clients.”
She said some were even being expected to pay more to have their dog with them.
“We also have a theme coming across with getting charged extra cleaning fees for hotels, for having a dog in the room,” she said.
“All guide dogs are clean, toilet trained, they’re maintained to a high standard.”
Ms Ryan said those who witnessed discrimination should offer assistance.
“Chat to the client, see if they would like some help,” she said.
“Speak up, report it to us, especially if it is something the client can’t see, so grab the taxi number, or something like that so they can advocate for themselves.”