Push to end discrimination against Australians with guide dogs

New research has revealed that every week a blind or vision impaired person in NSW is discriminated against by a café or restaurant illegally refusing entry, while Victorian guide dog users face the highest rates of discrimination in the country.

Victorian guide dogs and their users face the highest rates of discrimination in the country, with taxis refusing service 46 percent of the time.

A study commissioned by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT found that 53 percent of their clients experienced discrimination in the last year, with the largest percentage of these happening within a café or restaurant.

The only place a guide dog is legally not allowed is in an operating theatre or zoo.

Those responding to the survey said it caused humiliation or anxiety, with many people changing their routine, or leaving home without their guide dog altogether.

In response, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has marked International Guide Dog Day today with the launch of a new campaign called, "It's time to end Guide Dog discrimination".

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has partnered with the NSW Police Force to remind the public it is illegal to deny or charge people with a guide dog to access a public premises, which includes restaurants or cafés.

CEO of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Dr Graeme White said that while the public generally did the right thing, "people with guide dogs continue to face many barriers when going about their daily lives, which strips them of their independence".

"Imagine how you'd feel if you weren't allowed into a café. Guide dogs are not pets. They are highly trained to open up the world for people who are blind or vision impaired, not close it down, which is effectively what discrimination does," Dr White said.

"We're calling on the NSW public to help bring discrimination against guide dog users to an end."

NSW Police Force Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford said officers would respond to reports of discrimination against guide dog users and issue fines when appropriate.

"It's a crime to refuse entry to a person with a guide dog," Asst Comm. Clifford said.

"The NSW Guide Dog access laws have been in place for more than 30 years and like all forms of discrimination, there's no excuse for it."

NSW police officers can issue on-the-spot fines of $165 and penalty notices of up to $880 for refusing entry to a person with a guide dog.

Guide dog users have been issued business card-sized pamphlets which outline relevant laws and fines in an effort to empower people to stand up for their rights.