Stephen visited the Guide Dog UK at their stand at Labour Party Conference on Sunday 22 September to hear learn about the impact of businesses illegally turning away guide dog owners.
Thousands of people rely on their guide dog to live independently, yet Guide Dogs UK’s latest survey found that 88% of Guide Dog owners have been refused entry or asked to leave a business or other venue because they are with their guide dog.
Minicab and taxi drivers are the most common source of rejection, with 58% of guide dog owners saying that a minicab or taxi driver or company had refused to take them with their guide dog.
Stephen visited Guide Dog UK’s stand at Labour Conference to hear about the impact on guide dog owners. He spoke to Lynette, a guide dog owner, about her experience of being turned away by businesses and services.
“No one should be turned away because they need a guide dog,” Stephen said after his visit. “It is horrifying to think that guide dog owners are being discriminated against in this way. I am glad Guide Dog’s UK is highlighting this problem.”
