Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
18
↓
BBC News - Discrimination: ‘I can’t take your guide dog, I’ve got an allergy’ (bbc.co.uk)
submitted by robsug
U5efull 16 points 4y ago
"The Equality Act 2010 states that taxi and minicab drivers must carry assistance dogs unless they have genuine health reasons not to do so. Local authorities will provide a driver with an exemption certificate if they give proof from an appropriately qualified medic. The certificates should then be available to show to an assistance dog owner on demand. "
Anyone who would do this without an actual cert is a complete asshole. Guide dogs are the most well behaved animals on the planet.
Anyone who would do this without an actual cert is a complete asshole. Guide dogs are the most well behaved animals on the planet.
[deleted] 4 points 4y ago
[deleted]
U5efull 1 points 4y ago
If it isn't documented, then they should get it documented, the article specifically states how.
[deleted] 2 points 4y ago
[deleted]
-shacklebolt- 1 points 4y ago
Honestly, I think that's ridiculous.
If a person experiences allergy symptoms around dogs or has a legitimate medical issue, they should go and get the requried certificate.
If they somehow haven't figured out yet that their allergy symptoms are caused by dogs in particular, what on earth would give them the right to deny access to dogs on the basis of an allergy they personally do not believe themsleves to have?
I'm assuming that you're not a service dog handler and have not met a lot of service dog handlers if you're making these statements. It genuinely erodes your faith in humanity to see service dog denials for clearly legitimate SDs *constantly.* It's pervasive and has a nasty impact on the SD handler's ability to get to places in a timely manner, access places they should be able to access, etc. As the BBC article also addresses, it's also emotionally draining to be subject to regular little injustices constantly.
If a person experiences allergy symptoms around dogs or has a legitimate medical issue, they should go and get the requried certificate.
If they somehow haven't figured out yet that their allergy symptoms are caused by dogs in particular, what on earth would give them the right to deny access to dogs on the basis of an allergy they personally do not believe themsleves to have?
I'm assuming that you're not a service dog handler and have not met a lot of service dog handlers if you're making these statements. It genuinely erodes your faith in humanity to see service dog denials for clearly legitimate SDs *constantly.* It's pervasive and has a nasty impact on the SD handler's ability to get to places in a timely manner, access places they should be able to access, etc. As the BBC article also addresses, it's also emotionally draining to be subject to regular little injustices constantly.
Drunken_Idaho 3 points 4y ago
A lot of the guide dogs I've known over the years haven't been well behaved.
angelcake 3 points 4y ago
Guide dogs or emotional support dogs? There’s a huge difference between the two
U5efull 1 points 4y ago
interesting, I've only seen a few and all of those have been very good
Drunken_Idaho 1 points 4y ago
Maybe I should be more specific. A lot of the dog handlers I know are not well behaved. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners, after all. And I am referring to guide dogs not emotional support dogs.
U5efull 1 points 4y ago
that makes sense
robsug [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Exactly!
It's disgusting behaviour and obviously way more widespread than we think.
It's disgusting behaviour and obviously way more widespread than we think.
[deleted] 2 points 4y ago
[deleted]
robsug [OP] 5 points 4y ago
If the driver is allergic they can get the documentation. It's free and easy enough to obtain?
I think it's the best system to ensure disabled people can get access to a service they require, and yet also has scope for drivers who are allergic to be exempt.
I think it's the best system to ensure disabled people can get access to a service they require, and yet also has scope for drivers who are allergic to be exempt.
brimstone_tea 8 points 4y ago
Sadly, if you can't read the certificate, they could show you anything.
robsug [OP] 5 points 4y ago
True.
In the article he states that's another reason why he records, so he can review the footage to see if the certificate is real, and if not report them to Uber etc.
In the article he states that's another reason why he records, so he can review the footage to see if the certificate is real, and if not report them to Uber etc.
HDMILex 1 points 4y ago
They can't "read" you anything though. You'd have to be a very skilled storyteller to fake reading an exemption certificate.
manamachine 1 points 4y ago
You would think they'd have to print them in braille too, since the majority(?) of guide dogs are for the visually impaired.
[deleted] 3 points 4y ago
[deleted]
Hellsacomin94 3 points 4y ago
To my knowledge, there are no guide cats.
[deleted] -2 points 4y ago
[deleted]
Blachly 1 points 4y ago
> Q1. What is a service animal?
> A. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as **a dog** that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.
Emphasis mine.
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
> A. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as **a dog** that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.
Emphasis mine.
https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
[deleted]
robsug [OP] 3 points 4y ago
On the driver's side, they ***can*** refuse to accept a dog in their car, but they need an exemption certificate to do it. This wouldn't be too hard to obtain and keep in the car.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.