Day 10 - ‘Open Doors’ for Guide Dogs and their Owners

Guide Dog’s ‘Open Doors’ campaign aims to help end illegal access refusals experienced by guide dog owners.

Guide dog owners continue to face access refusals from businesses and services including cafés, shops, restaurants, pubs, and taxis because they are accompanied by their guide dog – despite this almost always being illegal.

The law is clear. In England, Scotland and Wales the Equality Act means guide dog and other assistance dog owners have the right to enter most services, premises, and vehicles with their guide dog. In Northern Ireland, the Disability Discrimination Act gives guide dog owners the same rights.

Guide Dogs’ research has found that 76% of guide dog owners have been refused access to a business or service at some point. What’s more, around half of guide dog owners (49%) report that they have changed their plans because they were worried about being challenged or refused access to a business or service because of their guide dog.

You can show your support for the campaign by signing the petition that calls on the Prime Minister to end access refusals.