Welcome 2008!

2008 has been designated the Year of the Assistance Dog in the United Kingdom!

Five charities which train assistance dogs in the United Kingdom have announced plans to designate 2008 Year of the Assistance Dog, campaigning for the rights of assistance dog partnerships.

The five organisations that comprise Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK); Dogs for the Disabled, Support Dogs, Canine Partners, Guide Dogs, and Hearing Dogs, will work together to promote rights of access to services for all assistance dog partnerships. Partnerships will be encouraged to nominate retailers, leisure facilities, public premises, parks and transport operators for Dog Stars, giving service providers with an incentive to make their premises assistance dog friendly.
Dog Star Awards will be symbols of service excellence, given in recognition that premises and services meet the needs of all assistance dog partnerships. For example, provision of wheelchair access, Braille menus for blind and partially-sighted people, induction loops for customers with hearing impairment, and of course – water bowls for assistance dogs!

On the whole access in the UK for assistance dog partnerships is good, but there remain challenges which can lead to disadvantage and unlawful discrimination towards partnerships, by highlighting good practice with Dog Star Awards it is hoped that such good practice will become the norm from service providers.

The Institute of Environmental Health Officers advises that assistance dogs should not be a risk to hygiene. These dogs are regularly groomed to the highest standard and the health and condition of every dog is checked regularly by a vet. It is the responsibility of the person partnered with the dog to ensure that their dog meet the highest level of hygiene.

Background

Since December 1996, it has been unlawful for hoteliers and restaurant owners to refuse to serve a disabled person or offer a lower standard of service for reasons related to the person’s disability. Since October 2004, the law also requires that service providers make reasonable adjustments to the physical features of their premises to overcome barriers to access.
Taxi drivers – since 31 March 2001 (31 March 2003 in Scotland) – are required to carry, free of charge, assistance dogs travelling with their owner. A similar duty has applied since 31 March 2004 to drivers and operators of private hire vehicles (private hire cars in Scotland).
Additionally, since 4 December 2006, under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), it has been unlawful for them to refuse service to a disabled person, or offer a lower standard of service for reasons related to the person’s disability. The law also requires them to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people in the way that their services are provided – though that does not include physical alterations to the vehicles.