They’re often referred to as our best friends, but a recent survey shows one in three Guide Dogs, are still getting the rough end of the stick in some restaurants and cafés, Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan said today.
"The law states that people using a Guide Dog in a harness are allowed to enter all public places including restaurants, cafés, pubs and clubs," Minister Whan said."
When a Guide Dog is wearing a harness it means it is working and helping people who are blind or have impaired vision to get around safely and independently.
"People with impaired vision have as much right as you and I do to enjoy a lunch with friends or a special dinner on a night out and that means their dog comes along too - whether that’s at your local cheap and cheerful or a fine dining restaurant."
A 2010 Guide Dogs NSW/ACT client survey showed that :
· almost 30% of people who use a Guide Dog have been refused entry to a restaurant in the past year
· 34% of Guide Dog users said they had experienced unfair treatment in a restaurant or café within the past year.
"It is pleasing to see that a number of restaurants and cafés are doing the right thing, but any kind of discrimination is not only unfair, it is illegal," Minister Whan said.
"In an effort to address this, the NSW Food Authority has developed an Action Plan with Councils across the state encouraging their front line staff like Environmental Health Officers to discuss this issue with restaurateurs and café owners as part of their regular inspections of food service businesses in their LGA and remind them of their obligation when it comes to providing access to Guide Dogs.
"Refusing a person with a guide dog entry to a restaurant can result in legal action."
Recent research conducted on behalf of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT into the general public’s understanding of the issue revealed that one in four people surveyed said they still didn’t know if Guide Dogs were allowed in restaurants.
Guide Dog users are allowed into restaurants under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Section 9), NSW Companion Animal Act 1998 (Sections 14 & 59) and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Chapter 3, Section 24 (1) b).
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has a public education campaign called “Guide Dogs Welcome Here” that was launched last year with a view to reminding NSW restaurateurs and café owners of their legal obligations. The campaign calls on restaurateurs to place a sticker in their window to help show their support and reverse discrimination.
"We are grateful for the support of Minister Whan and the NSW Food Authority and hope hospitality venues get behind our campaign and ensure dining out is an enjoyable experience for people who use guide dogs," said Jennifer Moon, Community Education Co-ordinator for Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Where are Guide Dogs allowed to go in Queensland?
A Guide Dog, and a Guide Dog-in-training, have the legal right to enter public places including shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs and travel on all public transport and taxis. Their rights are protected by legislation, including the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 and the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.
http://www.guidedogsqld.com.au/page/Guide_Dogs/Access_Rights
Free "Guide Dogs Welcome Here" information kits are available by calling Guide Dogs NSW/ACT on 02 9412 9300.
Further information about Guide Dogs in restaurants can be found at the NSW Food Authority www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au or Guide Dogs NSW/ACT www.guidedogs.com.au or Queensland Guide Dogs http://www.guidedogsqld.com.au/page/Guide_Dogs/FAQs/
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