[guide.chat] In Reply To: [guide.chat] In Reply To: [guide.chat] Guide Dogs

From: "Claire Rush" <snout221b@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Angela Robson" <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:49:59 +0100
Hi All!
        Like you Angie, I usually let the taxi firm know that I've got a Guide 
dog with me on the rare occasions we travel by taxi.  I usually find this gives 
the driver a chance to put the seat back or give the job to another driver if 
it's a "strictly no dog" car.

        When I went to London last year I didn't have any taxi firm numbers so 
got someone to call a cab for me.  When the taxi arrived the driver was adamant 
that I wasn't going to get inside with my dog but a complete stranger stopped 
to intervene and quoted the Disability Discrimination Act.  I was quite 
grateful for his assistance because otherwise I would have been stranded in an 
unfamiliar area.  The driver didn't argue once the law was quoted but insisted 
on lining the whole cab with grease-proof paper.  This took several minutes in 
addition to the lengthy debate which meant that I missed my coach at Victoria 
Coach Station!  

        It was all quite stressful and I haven't been brave enough to try it 
again.  But apparenty Norman Baker the minister for Transport has stepped in to 
remind drivers that it's illegal to refuse well-behaved Guide dogs entry on 
public transport.  The  Muslim Council of Britain has also urged tolerance 
among Muslim drivers as some branches of Islam have no problem with Guide dogs. 
 (In fact the Islamic Council has issued a fatwa allowing Guide dogs into 
mosques).

        So I think it's a case of politely pointing out the facts (as you say 
Angie!) to people who seem reluctant to allow Guide dogs entry. Hopefully the 
issue will get resolved so that we'll just be able to carry on doing everyday 
things without obstruction.

        Cheers!
        Claire

-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Robson - Email Address: arobson227@xxxxxxxxx
Sent On: 20/07/2010 20:27
Sent To: david freathy, Guide Chat - Email Address: 
postmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [guide.chat] In Reply To: [guide.chat] Guide Dogs

Hi David and everyone,

I have never had a problem getting on a bus in London with my very large guide 
dog.  The drivers usually don't say a word to me good or bad and i just either 
hope to find a seat or often hold onto the bar and stand.

I was asked to leave Lidl on Lavendar Hill, Clapham about ten days ago as the 
ethnic person was trying to tell me he would not allow dogs in his shop.  I 
soon put him right and said they did admit guide dogs.  He incidentally was the 
manager.  He still persued me saying, "No Dogs in Here," but another ethnic 
assistant then told him that yes, "We do let guide dogs in."  

I hate it when this happens and London is usually worse than anywhere else 
because of the vast numbers of foreigners in the capital who do not understand 
what a guide dog is.  I always stand my ground, am polite but firm and go on my 
way.  I agree though David we can well do without this kind of thing as it is 
hard enough getting around without these problems.  When i order a taxi, I 
always tell the firm I have a guide dog with me. This doesn't guarantee you 
won't get a muslim driver but its more than likely you won't.

Cheers,

Angie
[guide.chat] In Reply To: [guide.chat] In Reply To: [guide.chat] Guide Dogs

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