‘I FELT INTIMIDATED BUT MANAGER SAVED DAY’
Teenager was told to leave market with her assistance dog
SIGNS are to be replaced and staff will undergo extra training after a disabled teenager was ordered to leave a city centre market as she was with her assistance dog.
Abby Cappleman was visiting Hanley Indoor Market with two-year-old shih tzu Chloe when security told her she was not welcome as only ‘guide dogs’ are allowed. But the 18-year-old stuck to her guns as she explained it is against the law to ban assistance dogs like Chloe from such venues.
Now Stoke-on-trent City Council has apologised and promised to update all ‘Guide dog only’ signs at its markets and is urging the security firm to provide additional training.
The market incident took place just before the police were called after Abby refused to leave Harley’s Cafe in Hanley.
Student Abby, who has Asperger’s syndrome and hypermobility, said: “I noticed security making a bee-line for me. I was repeatedly asked to leave as they do not allow dogs despite me stating she’s an assistance dog. I also asked them to stop following me as it was making me feel very distressed as I’m on the autistic spectrum.
“They then went on to ask me repeatedly what my disability was, which I said I was not prepared to disclose given the circumstances.
“They then radioed up to the market manager. He asked me to follow him to somewhere quiet.
“He thanked me for standing my ground and speaking with him as otherwise I would have just been ushered out of the market and he would never have known about it.
“I was made to feel intimidated and as if I was committing some form of crime by being disabled and relying on an assistance dog. However, the market manager saved the day and wants to work with me to make changes to make sure that this never happens again.”
Abby has been supported for two years by Chloe, who helps her to lead an independent life.
Because of her hypermobility, a connective tissue disorder, Chloe assists with tasks such as undressing.
Abby, from Telford, added: “Chloe will alert me if I get upset or start to feel unwell before I pass out which means I can be out safe without parents or a responsible adult. She will also find items and doors and people, block people from coming too close in lines. She’s incredible.”
A council spokesman said: “We apologise to the customer for any inconvenience caused and are thankful for the market manager’s response and help on the day. As a result of this incident, we have made our security contractors aware so that they may offer any required training to their staff.
“We will be updating the signage as part of the Hanley Market refurbishment and will be reviewing it at all of the city’s markets in Stoke, Longton and Tunstall to ensure they remain a welcoming place for everyone.” THE Equality and Human Rights Commission states that service providers should accommodate all people with assistance dogs and that failing to do so could lead to a claim of disability discrimination. According to the charity organisation Assistance Dogs UK, more than 7,000 disabled people in the UK rely on an assistance dog to help with practical tasks as well as offering emotional support and independence.