We have teamed up with Guide Dogs UK to help you better understand your customers with vision loss and guide dogs. We want to make sure you have the information needed not only for improved customer service but also to educate your staff to prevent access refusals occurring, which could result in a damage to your reputation and possible prosecution.
Under the Equality Act 2010, guide dogs and other assistance dog owners have the right to enter food premises with their dog. A person has a guide or assistance dog to help them overcome the barriers to independence caused by their disability. Reasonable adjustments should be made, including amending a ‘no dogs’ policy to allow for guide and assistance dogs.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are trained working animals, not pets, and their owners rely on them for both independence and mobility. Furthermore, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has confirmed that guide dogs and assistance dogs should be allowed entry to food premises as their training means that they are unlikely to be a risk to hygiene..
More information
For further information about how you can make your business more accessible, or if you would like to enquire about staff training offered call your local Guide Dogs Mobility Team on 01189 838 726 or email: reading@guidedogs.org.uk
To find out about sight loss awareness training, sighted guide training and more for your organisation visit the Guide Dogs website
For information about the different types of registered assistance dogs visit Information for assistance dog owners on the Assistance Dogs website.
