Milton Keynes MP Backs Guide Dogs Campaign

Milton Keynes North MP Mark Lancaster supported a campaign to tackle discrimination against guide dog owners at an event in Parliament.

He has backed the awareness appeal after a Guide Dogs survey found 76% guide dog owners had been turned away because of their dogs. 

At the Westminster event Mark was able to meet guide dogs and pick up comments MK residents had left for him about their own experiences.

 

Mark Lancaster MP said: “It was disturbing to hear how common these incidents of discrimination are for assistance dog owners. No one should be turned away on their local high street because of their assistance dog.

“I support Guide Dogs’ Access All Areas campaign to tackle the ignorance that causes access refusals, and make sure businesses are held accountable when they occur.”

Chris Theobald, Public Affairs Manager at Guide Dogs, added: “The law is very clear that assistance dog owners have the same rights as anyone else to shop, take a taxi or visit their local restaurant.

"Despite this, our survey shows assistance dog owners face refusals on a regular basis. When you rely on their guide dog to get around, businesses that refuse to allow your dog in are effectively slamming the door in your face.

“Businesses have a responsibility to make sure all their staff welcome assistance dog owners. That’s why we are calling for disability equality training as standard in sectors where refusals are common.

"We also support an overhaul of equality legislation so that businesses that refuse access face the full consequences of the law.”

 

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