Assistance dog owners face discrimination and exclusion, urges GDA for stronger protections
Assistance dog owners call for better understanding and legal protection in South Africa
The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (GDA) has issued a clarion call for heightened understanding and stronger legal protections for assistance dog owners amid a recent global survey revealing alarming trends of exclusion and discrimination faced by assistance dog teams.
Despite robust rights outlined in various laws, including the South African Constitution, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), assistance dog owners continue to encounter significant barriers when accessing public spaces.
The poignant insights were drawn from the recent 'Paws for Access Report on Assistance Dog Rights', collaboratively published by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
While South African assistance dog owners did not participate in this particular survey, GDA notes that the findings resonate strongly with the experiences observed locally. Alarmingly, four out of ten participants indicated they often avoid public places due to the hostility and discrimination they face.
'Inclusion and diversity are no longer concepts; they are actions that we live by. Soon enough, inclusion will not be considered or debated; it will naturally occur because adequate education will teach everyone not to distinguish,' remarked Tanya Schönwald, Head of Strategic and Corporate Partnerships at GDA, demonstrating the association's commitment to fostering a more inclusive society during International Assistance Dog Month this August.
The report identifies staggering challenges faced by assistance dog owners globally, including pervasive discrimination in various public venues.
According to survey data, 56% of respondents reported difficulties accessing restaurants and cafes, followed by hotels and medical facilities at 28% each, and grocery stores at 19%. Pieter van Niekerk, GDA's Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager, emphasised that these statistics reflect an urgent need for action.
One of the most disheartening revelations from the report is the discrimination encountered by assistance dog owners in medical facilities, which is particularly concerning given that many assistance dog users often require access to hospitals and clinics.
It is reported that 28% of respondents experienced barriers, often exacerbated by uninformed security personnel. The high turnover and redeployment of staff further complicate the situation, thwarting educational efforts aimed at fostering understanding.
Compounding these issues is the poor accessibility within public transportation systems.
The report highlighted that 56% of respondents experienced refusals from taxis or rideshare vehicles, with guide dog owners facing even higher refusal rates of 63%. In South Africa, local e-hailing services present substantial challenges for assistance dog owners, who frequently find themselves stranded.
However, examples of successful collaboration, such as with the Gautrain Management Agency, illustrate that accessible transportation solutions can be realised.
The GDA now calls for enhanced awareness and legislative reforms to safeguard the rights of assistance dog owners. 'This report is further evidence of the significant and consistent challenges faced by assistance dog owners daily,' stated van Niekerk.
'Despite legal provisions aimed at facilitating access, many still face undue challenges and discrimination, which not only hinder their daily activities but also impact their emotional wellbeing.'
To combat these pressing issues, the report proposes a five-point action plan aimed at changing public attitudes and behaviours towards assistance dogs:
Public education through awareness campaigns to clarify the roles of assistance dogs and dispel misconceptions.
Standardisation and regulation to create a global definition of assistance dogs and their roles.
Improved identification through vests and ID cards to help reduce scepticism.
Business training focused on legal rights and responsibilities relating to assistance dogs.
Legislative reforms to protect the rights of assistance dog teams.
As South Africa embraces these challenges, GDA's initiative and its collaborative partnerships with organisations such as BON Hotels, the SPUR Co Group, and Kimberly-Clark aim to break down barriers, ensuring that assistance dog teams can enjoy the freedom of access they rightfully deserve.
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Assistance dog owners face discrimination and exclusion, urges GDA for stronger protections
Assistance dog owners call for better understanding and legal protection in South Africa Assistance dog owners call for better understanding and legal protection in South Africa The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (GDA) has issued a clarion call for heightened understanding and stronger legal protections for assistance dog owners amid a recent global survey revealing alarming trends of exclusion and discrimination faced by assistance dog teams. Despite robust rights outlined in various laws, including the South African Constitution, the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (PEPUDA), and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), assistance dog owners continue to encounter significant barriers when accessing public spaces. The poignant insights were drawn from the recent 'Paws for Access Report on Assistance Dog Rights', collaboratively published by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF). While South African assistance dog owners did not participate in this particular survey, GDA notes that the findings resonate strongly with the experiences observed locally. Alarmingly, four out of ten participants indicated they often avoid public places due to the hostility and discrimination they face. 'Inclusion and diversity are no longer concepts; they are actions that we live by. Soon enough, inclusion will not be considered or debated; it will naturally occur because adequate education will teach everyone not to distinguish,' remarked Tanya Schönwald, Head of Strategic and Corporate Partnerships at GDA, demonstrating the association's commitment to fostering a more inclusive society during International Assistance Dog Month this August. The report identifies staggering challenges faced by assistance dog owners globally, including pervasive discrimination in various public venues. According to survey data, 56% of respondents reported difficulties accessing restaurants and cafes, followed by hotels and medical facilities at 28% each, and grocery stores at 19%. Pieter van Niekerk, GDA's Public Relations and Corporate Communications Manager, emphasised that these statistics reflect an urgent need for action. One of the most disheartening revelations from the report is the discrimination encountered by assistance dog owners in medical facilities, which is particularly concerning given that many assistance dog users often require access to hospitals and clinics. It is reported that 28% of respondents experienced barriers, often exacerbated by uninformed security personnel. The high turnover and redeployment of staff further complicate the situation, thwarting educational efforts aimed at fostering understanding. Compounding these issues is the poor accessibility within public transportation systems. The report highlighted that 56% of respondents experienced refusals from taxis or rideshare vehicles, with guide dog owners facing even higher refusal rates of 63%. In South Africa, local e-hailing services present substantial challenges for assistance dog owners, who frequently find themselves stranded. However, examples of successful collaboration, such as with the Gautrain Management Agency, illustrate that accessible transportation solutions can be realised. The GDA now calls for enhanced awareness and legislative reforms to safeguard the rights of assistance dog owners. 'This report is further evidence of the significant and consistent challenges faced by assistance dog owners daily,' stated van Niekerk. 'Despite legal provisions aimed at facilitating access, many still face undue challenges and discrimination, which not only hinder their daily activities but also impact their emotional wellbeing.' To combat these pressing issues, the report proposes a five-point action plan aimed at changing public attitudes and behaviours towards assistance dogs: Public education through awareness campaigns to clarify the roles of assistance dogs and dispel misconceptions. Standardisation and regulation to create a global definition of assistance dogs and their roles. Improved identification through vests and ID cards to help reduce scepticism. Business training focused on legal rights and responsibilities relating to assistance dogs. Legislative reforms to protect the rights of assistance dog teams. As South Africa embraces these challenges, GDA's initiative and its collaborative partnerships with organisations such as BON Hotels, the SPUR Co Group, and Kimberly-Clark aim to break down barriers, ensuring that assistance dog teams can enjoy the freedom of access they rightfully deserve. Saturday Star
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