On Wednesday, 19 June, more than a hundred guide dog owners from across the country converged on Westminster Hall in Parliament to share their experiences of being turned away by businesses and services because of their dog. People who are visually impaired or have disability already face various kinds of discriminations. Moreover if you are Asian you have it doubly hard. Taxis, minicabs, restaurants and shops often refuse access to people with trained guide dogs, though temples are now slowly extending services to incorporate assistance dogs, to help visitors with disabilities- a giant leap in the right direction.
There have many incidents when taxi drivers have driven away refusing a ride to someone with a guide dog. One driver claimed he was 'allergic' to dogs without being able to show any proof. Restaurants and newsagents are also common culprits for refusing people to enter premises with a dog, and recently Dave Kent, 58, and his dog Chad were turned away from a famous chain restaurant on Tottenham Court Road on a Tuesday lunchtime. However the restaurant later apologised for its behaviour, but the damage was already done!
One should note that it is against the law to refuse access to a disabled person accompanied by an assistance dog except in the most exceptional circumstances. New figures, launched recently, show that three out of four of guide dog owners (76%) have been illegally turned away by businesses and services. Taxis and minicabs were the worst offenders – experienced by 73% of those reporting refusals in the last twelve months. Refusals at restaurants (54%), newsagents (42%) and high street shops (36%) were also common.
To tackle these refusals, Guide Dogs and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have collaborated to create new support to empower those facing such discriminations. The Equality Act toolkit provides information and advice guide dog owners across UK, informing them about their legal rights, including practical informations and guides to challenge access refusals.
In the beginning of June, a Paralympic skier was reportedly turned away from a big supermarket because of his guide dog. John Dickinson-Lilley, who is registered blind and uses his guide dog Brett to get around, tweeted in anger and said it was the second time he was refused entry with his dog at that same supermarket.
Temple to review policy to accommodate guide dogs
Bhavini Makwana, 39, from London has recently been refused access with her guide dog Colin, five times in ten days. In 2018, three taxis and minicabs refused to take her to work within a space of three weeks. On this year Mother's Day, Bhavini and guide dog Collin were refused entry to a restaurant, where she went with her two daughters to celebrate the occasion.
Bhavini, who lives in Goodmayes had family visiting from Leicester during the last bank holiday in May. They planned to go to the Hare Krishna Temple in Watford and were initially told that Colin could be allowed in, but when they reached, they were told he could not be taken inside. So, they did not want to ruin the day, and her family took turn to stay back with Colin outside the temple, as Bhavini went inside with others.
In an interview she told the Asian Voice, “The whole purpose of having Colin is to be self reliant and be confident. I don't want to depend on others, but such situations defeat the purpose of having a trained guide dog.”
When the temple was approached for a comment, a spokesperson told Asian Voice, "A gentleman came to the temple reception to ask if an assistance dog could come into the temple. The receptionist replied that she would speak to the manager to check. The man was very polite and said he would be outside as he was waiting for relatives. When the manager and receptionist went outside to speak to the family, they were gone.
"The temple policy on assistance dogs is available on our website and reads as follows:- 'Assistance dogs accompanying disabled visitors will be looked after in a quiet place by one of our volunteers, with a drinking bowl of water if required, while visitors will be provided a chaperon/guide to enjoy their visit inside the Temple Room, within the main building.
"Within the complex generally, volunteers are on hand if any assistance is required. If you think you or your group will require special assistance, especially if you are coming with an assistance dog, please inform us at least 72 hours in advance'."Since this incident we have decided to again review the policy at the next gathering of the Temple Council."
Indian restaurant refuses guide dog in premises
After the temple visit, Bhavini with all the family went to an Indian restaurant in Ealing Road for a meal together. During booking the table for 13 people, she made sure the manager knew about the guide dog. When they arrived, the table was ready, and they were taken to it straight away. But when Bhavini was just about to sit down, one of the waiters came and said, “sorry you need to take that dog out”. Bhavini tried to convince him, but was asked to leave the premises without disturbing other diners.
“I was asked to go out, in front of all the other customers and it was so humiliating,” said Bhavini who has had Colin for 9 months now. She was made to wait outside, while her family spoke to the restaurant and finally after much persuasion, she was let in with Colin, but was made to sit all the way out where the booths were, away from the family table. She told the newsweekly, “We were not even sat together, we were split up, so we could not even enjoy our family meal!”
But her experience has not always been that bad. She joined the Vanza Mandal Sharad Purnima Navratri festival with Colin last year, and was accepted with open arms by the President, who watched Bhavini's videos educating people about her guide dog on Facebook. She even joined the 'garba' with Colin, and posted a photo on twitter, which went viral.
Discriminated on London Underground
Former doctor, 38 year old Amit Patel, who was interviewed by Asian Voice earlier this year, works as a volunteer with guide dogs for the Royal Institute of the Blind, lost his sight, six years ago due to haemorrhage behind his eyes. Encountering several negative incidents on public transport from cruel and unkind co-commuters, especially during escalator rides with his dog Kika, who is a trained guide dog, made him create a Twitter account in her name.
On one occasion, a man insisted Amit should move aside and stop holding on to the hand rail on the escalator, so that he could pass. While Amit stood there jittery and apologetic, TFL staff ensured he did not have to let the inconsiderate commuter in his late 40s pass, which cost him only '2 secs of his life'. To highlight the discrimination he faces everyday, Amit even fitted Kika with a GoPro camera on his back. After the clip from the escalator in Waterloo was posted, viewers reacted with shock and outrage. The video currently has 513,000 views, with many congratulating the TFL staff member on how he acted for Amit.
Asian MP joins campaign to tackle discrimination
Virendra Sharma MP who is campaigning to tackle discrimination against guide dog owners at the event in Parliament organised by the charity Guide Dogs said, “It was disturbing to hear how common these incidents of discrimination are for assistance dog owners. No one should be turned away on their local high street because of their assistance dog.
“I support Guide Dogs’ Access All Areas campaign to tackle the ignorance that causes access refusals, and make sure businesses are held accountable when they occur.
Chris Theobald, Public Affairs Manager at Guide Dogs, said, “The law is very clear that assistance dog owners have the same rights as anyone else to shop, take a taxi or visit their local restaurant.
"Despite this, our survey shows assistance dog owners face refusals on a regular basis. When you rely on their guide dog to get around, businesses that refuse to allow your dog in are effectively slamming the door in your face.
“Businesses have a responsibility to make sure all their staff welcome assistance dog owners. That’s why we are calling for disability equality training as standard in sectors where refusals are common. We also support an overhaul of equality legislation so that businesses that refuse access face the full consequences of the law.”
