Accessibility is a bare necessity

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A series of 4: Accessibility is a bare necessity. Part 2: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Accessibility is a bare necessity – a series in ‘Awareness First’

2: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

In a series of 4, we will share some tips and insights. How easy it can be to implement accessibility in all its variety of do’s and don’ts in your business, and how to make a start.

Accessibility is a bare necessity – part 2 — Pluto meets a guide dog in Disneyland

AS EVERYONE IS AS UNIQUE AS CAN BE, SO IS A DISABILITY

In this second article in a series of four, I will zoom in on guide dogs and service dogs or as we call them, assistance dogs.

People have assistance dogs to accompany them, every day, all day. These dogs are well trained to:

help around the house
walk safely on the street
give comfort and support
and most important of all, more independence

Assistance dogs can be real life savers, for instance to people with epilepsy.

The list of talents of these dogs is endless, and I think it is absolutely fantastic that there are so many four paws around the world, doing such an important job.

THE LAW AND THE PAW

In many countries assistance dogs or guide dogs are allowed in any public place by law.

In every day life, people with assistance dogs are refused entrance to shops, restaurants, public transport, hotels and other venues. And not always in a polite way.

The reason is usually that staff is not aware. They do not know about assistance dogs, or the law created to enhance independence for their owners.

Gaining more independence with their well trained assistance dog, their owners need to fight, on a daily basis, to go where they want to go.

This has to change.

Accessibility is a bare necessity - 2 — Danielle and her assistance dog Noah in a museum. There is more than meets the eye

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PET AND A GUIDE DOG

An assistance dog or a guide dog is a highly trained dog and simply not to be compared to a regular pet. It would help tremendously if AWARENESS will be high on the agenda, and managers train their staff to know the difference.