Stirling MP Stephen Kerr has supported the Guide dogs “Access all areas” campaign, after meeting with a Stirling woman and her assistance dog in Parliament.
Stephen met with Janette Scott from St Ninians to discuss her experiences with an assistance dog, in an event in Westminster Hall hosted by the Guide Dogs Association. The event sought to highlight how people with these dogs are sometimes illegally refused access to businesses and services.
According to data from the Guide Dogs Association , 73% of assistance dog owners have experienced being turned away by minicab or taxi drivers because of their dogs, and 71% have been barred from restaurants. Businesses are legally obliged to allow assistance dogs into the premises.
Stephen supports using the existing Equality Act legislation to ensure access is provided as clearly stated in the existing law.
Stephen Kerr MP said: It was wonderful to meet Janette. Assistance dogs are used in so many roles today and their support completely transforms peoples lives. It’s vitally important that access for those with these dogs is enforced. It was very disturbing to hear that , today in the 21st Century, far too many people are having such negative experiences.
Janette Scott said: “It is totally unacceptable that people who rely on guide dogs to live a normal life are refused access anywhere. Hotels, restaurants, shops, and taxis need to obey the law.”