2008 is year of the assistance dog
18 January 2008
A
charity initiative is naming 2008 the year of the assistance dog
and it will give out awards to establishments which are most guide
dog-friendly.
New charity Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) is a combination of the
efforts of Canine Partners, Dogs for the Disabled, Guide Dogs,
Hearing Dogs and Support Dogs.
Promoting the rights of access to services for assistance dog
users, people who rely on dogs for daily living will be able to
nominate all sorts of businesses, services and public premises to
be awarded for being guide dog-friendly.
Shops, leisure facilities, parks and transport operators can
pick up a Dog Star award if they meet the needs of all assistance
dog users.
Facilities which win the hallmark will, for example, be able to
provide menus or information in Braille, induction loops for
customers with hearing problems, wheelchair access and water bowls
for the dogs.
Alan Brooks, Chairman of ADUK, said: "Although there are many
examples of good practice, assistance dog users continue to
encounter problems accessing a variety of environments from shops,
hotels, pubs, and restaurants, to public transport and high street
pedestrian areas.
"This discrimination is both unacceptable and against the law,
so by highlighting good practice, we hope it will become the norm,
and that in future, our vision of doors always being open to all
assistance dog users will become reality."
Legally, establishments must offer the same standard of service
to people who have a disability and must make reasonable
adjustments to allow everyone access to their premises.
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