Guide dog users 'humiliated' after being refused access to public spaces
A blind woman has said she has lost count of the number of times she has been illegally refused access to public places because she has a guide dog.
Siobhan Meade from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, who qualified as a guide dog owner in 2003, says she has been refused access at least 30 times.
The most recent figures from charity Guide Dogs show 90% of guide dog owners have experienced an unlawful refusal at some point, and 72% experienced one in 2024.
Ms Meade told ITV News Anglia she "hung her head in shame" the first time it happened
"I just didn't know what to do," she said. "I just felt humiliated standing on the doorstep, knowing that I was allowed to go in, (with) everyone watching me.
"It just felt so embarrassing. Nobody should ever feel like they don't belong, because at the end of the day we're all one medical condition or accident away from disability - disability doesn't discriminate."
Under the Equality Act 2010, guide dog and other assistance dog owners have the right to enter most services, premises and vehicles with their dogs - but more than 40% of guide dog owners who faced an access refusal last year have been turned away from food and drink premises.
However, there are some exceptions, such as where taxi drivers have a medical exemption certificate due to a dog allergy.
The 41-year-old, who creates online content to educate people about blindness, is one of the 79% of guide dog owners who say they have changed their plans or limited where they visited because of access refusals.
Ms Meade said the extra planning and research she does before she visits anywhere new with her current guide dog Marty has left her "mentally and emotionally drained".
She wants to see better staff training and public education on the issue.
"Every time it just knocks my confidence," said Ms Meade. "Over a pattern of so many years you're just thinking, I just don't have it in me anymore.
"It's simple, I'm not asking for anything extra. I'm asking for what you already have - and that's the freedom and choice to live the life I choose."
Clive Wood, from Guide Dogs, said: "We can give somebody with sight loss the skills to get out and about with their guide dog and feel independent, but if they're a guide dog owner who's refused access to a service, it does chip away at that person's confidence and that's completely against what we're trying to do."
Guide dog user Emma Norman, from Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, told ITV News Anglia she has to "hype herself up" when she goes somewhere new in case she has to fight to be let in.
The 33-year-old Pilates teacher and her guide dog Archie have experienced refusals in settings including restaurants, hotels, taxis and supermarkets.
"That one refusal could ruin someone's day," she said. "I almost go into places expecting something, so when you get a good experience, it's like, oh my God, thank you so much for being so nice. And it shouldn't be like that."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
4 days ago
- The National
Citizens Advice Scotland in trans rights row over bathroom change
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) staff told staff last month that the charity would be enforcing a policy of 'male only' and 'female only' toilets on the basis of sex assigned at birth, according to an email seen by The Ferret. CAS's chief executive, Derek Mitchell, reportedly said in the email, sent May 6, that the charity was bound by 'legal constraints' following the landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court in April on how sex should be interpreted under the Equality Act 2010. The ruling stated that, under the Equality Act 2010, the definition of 'woman' refers to 'biological sex', a decision gender critical campaigners claimed had brought 'clarity on the law'. READ MORE: Labour MPs visit Israel on lobbying trip in middle of Gaza genocide However, legal experts have pointed out that the ruling on the definition of 'man' and 'woman' relates to the 2010 Equality Act only, while campaign groups have also raised concerns over the interpretation of the ruling. Mitchell said the decision to enforce male and female-only bathrooms was in response to the ruling and subsequent interim 'guidance' offered by the UK's human rights regulator, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). CAS's chief executive reportedly clarified that a separate single-occupancy bathroom would also be available 'for any colleague'. 'As an employer, CAS is required to comply with the law, and we need to ensure our practices and policies reflect current legal standards,' Mitchell said. 'This is not an expression of any view on the High Court ruling, it is our legal obligation as an employer.' Mitchell reportedly sent a second update two days later acknowledging the upset that had been caused due to the decision, but doubled down on claims that the charity was bound by the law to introduce changes. The decision has left staff at CAS feeling hurt, afraid, disappointed, and concerned by Mitchell's claim that the decision had been taken out of the charity's hands by legal changes, The Ferret reported. A spokesperson for CAS said they recognised 'this issue touches on deeply personal experiences and we will continue to monitor and review our approach should guidance change'. Lawyers and campaigners have said that the EHRC's update was neither intended as formal guidance nor legally binding, and therefore gives employers options on how they proceed. One staff member at CAS claimed neither the trade union nor the equality, diversity and inclusion committee were consulted ahead of the decision, according to The Ferret. Another staff member told The Ferret how CAS had built its workplace culture around inclusion and dignity, and that this policy change was effectively a 'slap in the face'. 'It's almost like it's polluted my work,' said one staff member. 'Because obviously when we consult, we're very respectful of any kind of pronouns. So I would like to think that we would treat our colleagues the same, and that the attitude from management would be the same.' Another said the decision to put this out 'without going through proper channels to make sure that the information that he's putting in there is correct' made them feel 'less safe within the organisation'. The Good Law Project have raised concerns since the ruling by the UK Supreme Court over how it is interpreted and whether or not it will impact other legislation that governs access to toilets and changing rooms in the workplace. Jen Ang, a human rights lawyer and director of legal firm Lawmanity, was shown the leaked emails by The Ferret. She said: 'The Supreme Court decision does not require employers to provide only separate toilets for men and women – it only clarified the meaning of 'sex' for purposes of the Equality Act and in so doing, shifted our understanding of what is required if single sex, mixed sex or only sex facilities are being provided by an employer. 'Employers must consider a range of factors in deciding what toilet facilities to provide, and be prepared to justify their decisions.' She claimed companies or charities that restricted access to some facilities on the basis of a protected characteristic like sex or gender reassignment without being able to justify the decision as a 'proportionate means to a legitimate aim', may be open to legal challenge in the future. READ MORE: Police issue statement after Scottish men killed in Spain shooting 'This is a good reason why organisations should start early with good faith efforts to gather the information they will need to make these decisions,' Ang added. 'By engaging with staff and service users to understand their requirements – and also why clear and practical guidance and support is urgently needed from our UK equalities and human rights regulators, and from our national governments.'
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Scotsman
Top dogs meet top hats! Guide dog puppies discover Ascot's wildest headgear
At a socialisation event at Ascot, the dogs also got used to the other sights, sounds and smells of the racecourse Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ascot racegoers saw a different kind of head turner as a group of adorable guide dogs puppies took to the racecourse as part of their training, getting up close and personal with some of the huge hats and frilly fascinators on display. The initiative comes as research from Guide Dogs reveals that over three in five dog owners (60%) have seen their dog react with fear or confusion to unusual or unfamiliar characteristics they have not been exposed to before. Nearly one in eight dogs react this way when confronted with oversized hats (13%) - equating to a huge 1.6 million of the UK's pet dogs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The puppies, who will hopefully one day change the lives of people with sight loss, were invited to the racecourse for the training session in style ahead of Royal Ascot. They met individuals showcasing some mighty millinery and top hats and tails - after research showed those in uniforms also elicit reactions from dogs (12%). Ranging from 12 weeks to ten months, the puppies enjoyed playtime, treats and positive interactions such as cuddles, to help prevent any future fearfulness. Guide dog puppies interact with racegoers wearing big hats at Ascot Racecourse, as part of their socialisation training to become comfortable around unusual headwear. Research from charity Guide Dogs reveals that dogs can be afraid of hats or objects on people's heads, as they can make it harder for them to recognise even familiar individuals With its elaborate fashion and lively atmosphere, the races proved the perfect setting for the pups to encounter new sights, sounds, and scents, all of which are crucial for their development. To help support new dog owners, Guide Dogs Puppy Development Advisor, Chloe Southby, has shared her list of top tips that owners should look to follow within the first 16 weeks of their puppies lives, to help them with confidence in the world around them: ● Hats and headwear - Hats, hoods and even sunglasses can totally change how a person looks, which can confuse or unsettle a puppy. Practise wearing different headwear during play or feeding time, and encourage friends to do the same. Early, positive exposure will help your pup stay calm around all kinds of get-ups Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad ● Crowded spaces - A busy crowd can bea daunting and overwhelming experience for a puppy. Start slow with small gatherings of friends and family and then build up to livelier settings like dog friendly pubs or markets. Short, positive visits help your pup learn to stay relaxed even when things get busy. If at any time your puppy looks uncomfortable, go back a stage. Progress isn't always linear Guide dog puppies interact with racegoers wearing big hats at Ascot Racecourse, as part of their socialisation training to become comfortable around unusual headwear. Research from charity Guide Dogs reveals that dogs can be afraid of hats or objects on people's heads, as they can make it harder for them to recognise even familiar individuals ● Loud noises - It's important to remember that dogs' ears are more sensitive to noise than ours. With a puppy practise playing everyday sounds your puppy may hear like busy roads or café nosies. This will help your puppy when you start to visits these locations. Gradually build up time, keeping sessions short and positive, and reward calm behaviour around noise ● Other animals - Prepare your pup by letting them meet friendly dogs on walks and visiting places where they can see other animals at a comfortable distance. No need for nose-to-nose contact but seeing them from afar, whilst on the lead, is a great start ● New smells and environments - Every new setting is a sensory overload for young dogs. Let your pup explore, giving them plenty of time to sniff and investigate. Encouraging them to sniff is hugely calming for dogs and helps them settle into new environments at their own pace Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chloe Southby, Puppy Development Advisor at Guide Dogs, explains: 'Royal Ascot offers a unique training opportunity for our guide dog puppies. Alongside the crowds, smells and sounds, it's one of the few places in the UK where extravagant hats and fascinators are the norm – which can be confusing or even frightening for some dogs. 'Some dogs are wary of new or unusual objects like hats and may find them unsettling, especially when worn by someone they know. It can make familiar people seem unfamiliar. 'That's why environments like Ascot are so valuable for socialising our puppies – helping them grow into confident guide dogs who can support people wherever life takes them.' Jacqui Greet, Corporate Social Values Manager at Ascot Racecourse, added: 'It was fantastic to have Guide Dogs here socialising their puppies, not only does it help prepare the dogs for real-world environments, but we hope it will encourage more people to visit. We are proud to provide an accessible environment for all racegoers and welcome any guest with an assistance dog.'
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Daily Mail
DEAR CAROLINE: My friend is tight with money, notoriously late, always asks for favours but never returns them, and exaggerates being ill. Should I give up on her?
Q I have always had a difficult relationship with a friend who now seems to be seriously ill. However, she has claimed to be ill before so often and I can't help feeling that this was exaggerated. On one occasion, she said she had had a serious fall and arrived at our pilates class on crutches – but when she saw someone she wanted to talk to she walked across the room without them. We became friends through our husbands more than 25 years ago. We had similar interests, got on well and took up dance and pilates together. However, after a while I noticed she was competitive. She has alienated several people through being tight with money and notoriously late. Her husband left her many years ago.
