Still not learning
A MINICAB firm has been accused of refusing to take a deaf and visually impaired passenger because she had a guide dog.
Mother-of-two Lorna Patton contacted Jasons Cars in Sayes Court Road, Orpington, to book a cab for her disabled son’s information and outreach worker, who works for deafblind charity Sense.
Emma Boswell was visiting Ms Patton’s 19-year-old son Max for a three-hour appointment to prepare for his future needs, by filling in applications to get him a guide dog as well as a white walking stick.
Max and Mrs Boswell both have Usher syndrome, which means they are deaf and have deterioating vision.
When Ms Patton called for a minicab, she claims the firm said it did not take guide dogs.
Ms Patton, 41, said: “The law states you can’t refuse a person with a guide dog.
“I was fuming, absolutely disgusted. This could be my son in future, stranded with a guide dog. As cab companies they should be aware of the law.”
Ms Patton, from Orpington, has made an official complaint to Transport for London’s public carriage office, claiming the minicab firm breached section 37a of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
The legislation states drivers of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have a duty to carry, without additional cost, any guide dog, or any other registered assistance dog, travelling with a disabled person.
Mrs Boswell said: “It can be frustrating for guide dog owners when companies such as taxi drivers or restaurants turn us away because there is a lack of understanding or awareness about the Disability Discrimination Act.
“The DDA law was introduced in 1985 and it states they have a duty not to treat a disabled person less favourably within any services they provide, which includes transport.
“They are not allowed to refuse my guide dog.”
The director of Sense, Sandra Osborne, said: “This incident must have been really upsetting for Emma, Lorna and Max.
“It is illegal for a cab driver to refuse entry to a guide dog. Unfortunately this type of incident is still all too common.
“It shows that we still have a long way to go to eradicate discrimination against people with a disability.
“Guide dogs are not pets. They are the eyes and ears of people with dual sensory loss.”
Managing director of the minicab firm Richard Harley said: “We were more than helpful to the lady and we weren’t rude.
“We didn’t have a car at that moment in time.
“Our drivers are self-employed, some take dogs and the one car we were able to offer was from someone who did not take a dog.
“They are not obliged to take anybody.
“We did not refuse to take her or the impaired person.
“This particular driver did not take dogs.”
A TfL spokeswoman said: TfL spokesperson said: “We are currently looking into the complaint logged by Ms Patton on Thursday June 10.
"A member of our complaints team will contact Ms Patton shortly.”
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news ... passenger/
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