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The Star
05-08-2025
- Health
- The Star
Assistance dog owners face discrimination and exclusion, urges GDA for stronger protections
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
IOL News
05-08-2025
- General
- IOL News
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
Rakyat Post
01-08-2025
- Health
- Rakyat Post
National Report On Lived Experiences Of Women With Disabilities Will Be Out In August 2025
Subscribe to our FREE The potential for disability affects every individual; however, the existing infrastructure remains inadequate in effectively supporting those currently experiencing disability. This is one of the many findings reported in the new 'National Report on Monitoring the SDGs at 10 Years: Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Lived Experiences of Women and Individuals Assigned Female at Birth with Disabilities in Malaysia,' launched yesterday at Merdeka Space, Kuala Lumpur. According to The report consisted of stories by persons of disablilites who had spoken bravely of their experiences of medical neglect, institutional abandonment, and everyday resilience. It pointed out deep systemic gaps in services, access, and dignity for persons with disabilities, particularly women and assigned female at birth (AFAB) individuals. The irony is stark since Malaysia is positioning itself to become a high-income nation within the next couple of years but sidelined persons with disabilities in its national planning. While Malaysia promised to protect and promote equal rights by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010, the reality on the ground paints a sobering picture. The full official report is set to be released to the public by the end of August 2025. For an idea of the challenges persons of disabilities go through, check out some of the stories below. READ MORE: READ MORE: READ MORE: READ MORE: READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
The Star
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Kenya launches national inclusion policy for disabled persons
NAIROBI, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Tuesday launched a policy designed to promote the inclusion of persons living with disabilities in society. According to Joseph Mogosi Motari, principal secretary in Kenya's State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Disabilities National Policy outlines measures for equipping healthcare facilities with the required infrastructure to support identification and reporting of disabilities. "The policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities with regard to all forms of employment, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuation of employment, career advancement, and safe and healthy working conditions," Motari told reporters in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. He revealed that the policy also provides a roadmap for Kenya to conduct public education targeting persons with disabilities to transform them into independent individuals capable of participating in development at all levels and caring for their personal needs. The goal of the policy is to promote the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all societal activities toward the achievement of national development targets, said Motari. He added that the development of the policy was informed by Kenya's signing and ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa. .
The Star
20-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Call to strengthen disability rights in Brunei
Permanent Secretary (Community) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Nor Ashikin Johari and Legislative Council member Chong Chin Yee during the talk. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: President of the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam Muhammad Zainidi Abdul Hamid on Saturday (July 19) called to continue working towards making public spaces, schools and workplaces truly inclusive. 'We must tackle stigma, not only through laws but through daily practice and mindset shifts,' he said during a talk on 'Disability Rights and Mental Capacity' at the Attorney General's Chambers' Golden Jubilee Hall. The talk, hosted by the Law Society of Brunei Darussalam, in collaboration with Bar Council Malaysia, aimed at deepening understanding and strengthening frameworks for persons with disabilities (PWDs). While Brunei has taken key steps by ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2016 and enacting the Persons with Disabilities Act, Chapter 234 and the Mental Health Act 257, Muhammad Zainidi noted that implementation and continuous improvement are essential. 'We see a need to strengthen decision-making frameworks,' he added. 'Around the world, there is a shift from substitute decision-making – where decisions are made for someone – towards supported decision-making, helping individuals make their own decisions as much as possible.' - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
