Call for equality for guide dog users | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Call for equality for guide dog users

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has called for stricter legislation to ensure that people with guide dogs are not discriminated against.

guide dog“I am dismayed by a recent report by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association that half of people with guide dogs have been refused access to buildings and services over the past year,” the local MLA said.

“It is crucial that people who are blind or visually impaired have full access to the same services as everyone else. Guide dogs are trained to the highest standards and without their help many people would find it near impossible to get around safely yet many have been refused entry to taxis and other methods of public transport.

“While current legislation requires public bodies including transport services to promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities this report highlights the problem faced by people using guide dogs.

Boylan added, “Sinn Féin have written to OFMDFM and Minister for the Environment Mark H. Durkan calling for a joined up approach from both departments to ensure that service providers provide an equal, accessible service for all.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=53939

Posted by on Dec 4 2015. Filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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