News Release

5th November 2004

OPENING DOORS TO GUIDE DOGS IN LICHFIELD AND BURNTWOOD

Michael Fabricant says: "It's a fact that too many restaurant owners still don't know that it is legal for guide dogs to be admitted with their blind or partially sighted owners.

"A recent survey showed more than half of guide dog owners have been turned away by a service provider such as a restaurant, pub, , hotel, shop or bank in the last five years in Britain. This is partly because managers think that it might be illegal to let them in and partly because they think it might upset other customers. But guide dogs are incredibly well behaved - it's part of their intensive training. And I cannot believe that any other customers would object to them."

Michael has added his support to Theresa May MP's parliamentary motion, encouraging local businesses not only to welcome guide dog owners through the door, but to make their services fully accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

So, ensuring that even the corridors of power are accessible, the MP welcomed guide dogs, with their owners, through the door of the House of Commons.

Guide Dogs' director of policy Tom Pey explains: "It is not only inconvenient but also very embarrassing to be refused access to a restaurant or pub because of your guide dog. We're delighted that the local MP is backing our campaign, so that in the future we can achieve our vision of ensuring all guide dog owners receive first class customer service."

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has launched a pocket sized reference guide, entitled 'Opening Doors', for everyone who works in the service industry. It outlines the obligations of pubs, restaurants, hotels, shops and banks, and gives practical advice and tips on how to provide a quality service for visually impaired people and assistance dog users.

Free copies are available by phoning 0118 983 8379. A new microsite has also been launched on Guide Dogs' website, which can be found at: www.guidedogs.org.uk/access

Guide Dogs plans to reward good practice by presenting Opening Doors certificates to service providers, nominated by blind and partially sighted customers, who have been particularly pleased with the service they have received. These will be presented to winning businesses in the coming months.

Michael Fabricant adds: "I urge local businesses to be guide dog and owner friendly and to adopt the top 5 tips". These are:

• Explain the layout of your premises and offer to help the customer to a table or to locate the items they plan to purchase.

• If handling cash, explain the denomination of the notes or coins you are handing over. When the customer is paying, tell them the cost and give guidance, if necessary, on where the signature should be written.

• Consider introducing Braille signage, labels and menus (in pubs and restaurants), letting the customer know this is available.

• Advise your staff that guide dogs are highly trained and should not cause any disruption to staff or customers in premises where food and drinks are sold.

• Offer the guide dog a bowl of water.

  The results of the 'Open Your Doors Survey is summarised below:

• 52% of guide dog owners have been refused entry to a service in the last five years. Two in five guide dog owners (39%) have been turned away by a restaurant.

• One in ten hotels state they are not able to accommodate visually impaired people at any time.

• 40% of guide dog owners say they have had a particularly good experience in one of the services.

• 12% of businesses surveyed said they did not understand their legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, which makes it unlawful to treat disabled people less favourably than other people for a reason related to their disability.

• 50% of service providers, and seven out of ten restaurants, have concerns about accepting guide dogs.