Assembly champions the rights of Guide Dogs users

Londoners with assistance dogs are entitled to access restaurants, shops and other public places by law.

Some establishments are refusing entry to Guide Dog users because this entitlement is not always understood by staff and management

Today, the London Assembly unanimously called on the Mayor to ensure that the rights of Guide Dog users are publicised to all front-line staff.

Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion said:

“Guide Dog owners are all too often denied access to restaurants, shops and other public places. This is completely unacceptable – people who have sight loss should be able to move around our city as easily as everyone else rather than being discriminated against.

“I want to get the retail and hospitality leaders around the table to reiterate the importance of the legislation protecting Guide Dog owners and ensure that people who have sight loss are treated with the respect they deserve”.

Joanne McCartney AM, who seconded the motion said:

“It is unacceptable that Londoners who use Guide Dogs are at risk of being excluded by illegal and discriminatory policies when visiting restaurants and shops.

“To ensure that our capital is truly accessible and inclusive to all, it is important that there is a clear and common understanding of the law surrounding the rights of those with assistance dogs amongst the management and staff of all of these establishments.

“This is why I am sponsoring the motion to call on the Mayor to organise a meeting with representatives across the retail and hospitality industry to raise awareness of this vital issue”.

The full text of the motion is:

“This Assembly is concerned about the number of reports from Londoners who use Guide Dogs that they are denied access to restaurants, shops and other public places. The Assembly notes that those with assistance dogs are entitled to access these services by law without discrimination and worries that this entitlement is not always understood by staff and management of these establishments.

We call on the Mayor to convene a meeting of major chains and other representatives from the hospitality industry to raise awareness of this legislation and ensure that the rights of Guide Dog users are publicised to all front-line staff.”