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PostPosted: Sun Oct 23, 2016 7:22 pm 
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Can taxi drivers legally refuse a guide dog? Expert explains...

The law on guide dogs may surprise you

After an Uber driver drove off and left a Liverpool woman and her guide dog stranded - we’ve taken a look at what the law says about where guide dogs are allowed.

For many blind people, having the support of an assistance dog gives them back their independance - but charity Guide Dogs UK says that three in every four guide dog owners say they have been refused access to taxis, hotels and even GP practices in the past twelve months.

Despite the efforts of assistance dog charities - owners of these animals are still frequently refused access, with taxi refusals the most common.
So far this year, Guide Dogs Liverpool has dealt with 31 access refusals from across Merseyside- with 18 of these from taxis or private hire vehicles.

What does the law say?

Despite the frequency of access refusals - the law on where you can and can’t bring a guide dog is actually crystal clear.

Under the Equality Act, guide dog and other assistance dog owners should legally be allowed access to business and premises.

There is also a special section in the law for taxis and private hire vehicles - which means that the driver must carry the disabled person’s dog and allow it to remain with that person.

The law also bans anyone from charging extra for allowing the guide dog into their vehicle.

What is the punishment for breaking the law?

Currently, if a taxi driver doesn’t follow these two rules they are breaking the law and can be fined up to £1000.

As well as financial fines, anyone with a private hire license that refuses a service animal also risks having the private hire license revoked.

Uber is particularly stringent about assistance dogs - and their guidelines state that any driver found to have refused a guide dog will permanently lose access to Uber, even if their council does not revoke their license.

What does Uber say about the rules?

A spokesperson for Uber said: “Licensed private-hire drivers must carry service animals in their vehicle and we remind all drivers of this legal obligation before they start using the Uber app. Any driver who is found to have refused to take a service animal will permanently lose access to the Uber app and risks having their private hire licence taken away.”

What do Guide Dogs UK say about access?

Lynette Proctor, engagement officer for Guide Dogs Liverpool Mobility team says that dealing with access refusals is a large portion of her job.
She said: “Guide Dogs UK is currently running a campaign so that assistance dog owners can access taxis, shops and restaurants without being refused entry, in line with their legal rights.

“Ignorance of the law seems to play a big part in business owners and staff turning away assistance dog owners. Of the reasons given for a refusal, the most commonly reported problem in the survey, was that the dog is unwelcome because food was being served (27 per cent), followed by dislike of dogs by them or their customers (25 per cent)."

“Since the law is very clear that neither of these are valid reasons for refusing service to an assistance dog owner, it suggests a lack of understanding of the special role and training of assistance dogs, and of the service provider’s duties under the law.

“A large portion of my work at Guide Dogs is raising awareness amongst the general public of businesses’ legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for assistance dog owners to stop these refusals from continuing.

“We will continue to campaign for the rights of blind and partially sighted people until they have the same freedom of movement as everyone else.”

source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv ... e-12065857

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 2:56 pm 
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I didnt know that all assistance dogs have a certificate and pass like a doorman/bouncer so if it is a genuine guide dog that should be shown...then the dog can travel where my dogs travel..

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PostPosted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 3:54 pm 
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wannabeeahack wrote:
I didnt know that all assistance dogs have a certificate and pass like a doorman/bouncer so if it is a genuine guide dog that should be shown...then the dog can travel where my dogs travel..

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I don't think you can do that.

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PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 4:30 pm 
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grandad wrote:
I don't think you can do that.



im not refusing the dog access ... if they refuse the offer its not my fault


BTW, if theres "equality" how can i be forced to carry an assistance dog but i can refuse the others?

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PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 2018 8:02 pm 
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wannabeeahack wrote:
I didnt know that all assistance dogs have a certificate and pass like a doorman/bouncer so if it is a genuine guide dog that should be shown...then the dog can travel where my dogs travel..

Image

That's fine, so long as it's where you make the passenger travel too.

As it says above:
There is also a special section in the law for taxis and private hire vehicles - which means that the driver must carry the disabled person’s dog and allow it to remain with that person.

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 12:05 am 
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Chris the Fish wrote:
[
There is also a special section in the law for taxis and private hire vehicles - which means that the driver must carry the disabled person’s dog and allow it to remain with that person


that doesnt define where in the car though does i

its a big dead weight in an accident, my dogs are 20kg each, a labbie is even bigger

thats a lot of dog flying around

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtzOhLrUaKg

can i request it wears a seatbelt harness?

if i MUST carry a guide dog then by definition - on the grounds of equality - i MUST carry all dogs

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:27 am 
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"must carry the disabled person’s dog and allow it to remain with that person"

I think your taking that to literally...I'm sure with the Person simply means in the same Vehicle, Train, Boat or Plane...not at their feet at all times as passenger safety must come first..


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:41 am 
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I spoke to a fella from either the Guide Dogs charity, or from a Blind charity and I asked the question about where the dog should sit.

He said it would be best if the dog sat in the foot well by the person, but we agreed the law only insisted on the travel aspect, not the position aspect.

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 12:44 pm 
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Perhaps it should be properly clarified from somebody in DfT and promulgated.

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PostPosted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:40 pm 
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Chris the Fish wrote:
Perhaps it should be properly clarified from somebody in DfT and promulgated.


Guide Dogs Top Tips for Taxi Driver

Tips for taxi drivers to assist blind and partially sighted passengers.

· Don’t sound your horn outside their home, go to the door and collect your blind or partially sighted passenger.

· Don't be afraid to ask how you can help to guide your passenger to your vehicle.

· Make sure your passenger is seated and secure before moving off.

· If your passenger has a guide dog, make sure that the dog is in the foot well or hatchback of the vehicle.

· If possible, make sure that the passenger airbag is turned off if a guide dog is in the front foot well of your vehicle.

· Tell your passenger about delays and diversions to their journey.

· Tell your passenger when you have arrived at their destination.

· Tell your passenger what the fare is or meter reading.

· Make sure you guide your passenger from your vehicle to the door at the end of the journey.

· If you can’t take a guide dog for medical reasons, make sure that your passenger is provided with a driver who can.

Also,

Access to taxis and minicabs for guide dog owners

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 3:33 pm 
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Is That from DfT?

If it is, how was it promulgated?

I do all that, but never seen it in anything official as far as I am aware.

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PostPosted: Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:46 pm 
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Chris the Fish wrote:
Is That from DfT?

If it is, how was it promulgated?

I do all that, but never seen it in anything official as far as I am aware.

Both from the Guide Dog's Association.

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 7:54 pm 
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Is the dog a "passenger"?

am i plated for 4 meaning 4 persons --- is 4 with a dog allowed?

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PostPosted: Tue Feb 27, 2018 8:43 pm 
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wannabeeahack wrote:
Is the dog a "passenger"?

am i plated for 4 meaning 4 persons --- is 4 with a dog allowed?

According to my interpretation of the law you could have a 100 dogs in the car.

Provided they are of the canine variety.

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2019 12:34 pm 
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I can charge £2 for all but assistance dogs, isnt that reverse discrimination?

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