Former Minister for the Economy Gordon Lyons MLA joins charity Guide Dogs NI to launch a month of action in support of the ‘Open Doors’ campaign
The law gives assistance dog owners the right to access businesses and services without discrimination. But, according to Guide Dogs, 81% of assistance dog owners have been refused access to a restaurant, shop or taxi at some point because of their dog. Being refused access has a significant negative impact on the confidence, independence and wellbeing of people who use assistance dogs.
Guide dog owner Lisa from Belfast commented;
“It is embarrassing being refused entry to a business. I am hopeful that this campaign will educate people on the rights that my guide dog Ally and I have, and I will no longer be limited in my freedom or independence. I have had issues with taxis, hotels and in retail and it is time for change”.
In response, Guide Dogs is campaigning to raise awareness about the access rights of guide dog owners and to make business owners aware of their legal duties to support assistance dog owners. Retail NI, Consumer Council NI and Belfast City Centre Management Company joined the Minister at Parliament Buildings to support Guide Dogs NI and help launch the campaign. They have committed to reminding their members and local businesses of their legal obligations to assistance dog owners.
The Minister commented:
“I’m delighted to be supporting the Guide Dogs Open Doors campaign. I want our economy to be innovative and inclusive, delivering benefits for all our people. Ensuring everyone can participate in the economy, including those who are visually impaired is an important step in this ambition. Access refusals can have negative effects beyond the moment they occur, and this initiative will help to educate and inform as we build a strong, inclusive economy that works for all.”
As part of the campaign, Guide Dogs are encouraging members of the public and politicians to go out to their local high street, throughout November and speak to businesses about the law around access for guide dog owners. Hundreds of volunteers signed up to take part in the event across the UK and Guide Dogs are providing stickers welcoming guide and assistance dogs for businesses to place in their windows.
To sign up and volunteer to help ‘open doors’ for guide dog owners or to find out more, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk/opendoors
