Hi Padraig, Good to hear from you, and I'm delighted to know that this "awareness" work is going on continually by IGDB on behalf of GDOs! Regards: Audrey ----- Original Message ----- From: "Padraig Mallon" <padraig@xxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <irlguidedogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: "Neil Ashworth" <neil@xxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Lean Kennedy" <Lean@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 10:33 AM Subject: Re: [IRLGuideDogs] Refusal to Carry Guide Dogs in Taxis Audrey, As both Neil Ashworth and Lean Kennedy are away today, can I reassure you that we will continue to work with guide dog owners and also with transportation providers to ensure that access to transportation and services is relatively problem free. Lean is available to assist with specific issues and also to work with industry groups to increase awareness of their responsibilities and obligations, best practice etc. Padraig Mallon Chief Executive Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind -----Original Messsage >From: irlguidedogs-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:irlguidedogs-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Audrey Tormey Sent: 16 November 2006 19:11 To: guidedog-egroup Subject: [IRLGuideDogs] Refusal to Carry Guide Dogs in Taxis Hi there, Just interested in feedback in terms of individuals experience re. travelling in taxis with their guide dogs! I use public transport a great deal, and taxis regularly too. Recently, I have come across undesirable practices and attitudes of taxi and cab drivers towards the reality of me travelling with Woody, and on highlighting that it is illegal to refuse to carry a GDO and his, her dog, I have heard a whole array of excuses! At this point I won't go into too much detail, since my experiences are currently with the Taxi Regulator's Office and being pursued - suffice to say, I find it intolerant, inexcusable, and totally discriminatory behaviour. Thankfully, on the other hand, I have drivers who pick us up too who never question the issue of travel with one's guide dog! I feel as a group, and certainly as an organisation, all involved with guide dogs [and assistance dogs of any kind] must promote awareness on a large scale in order to combat the prejudices that exist sadly in society in 2006! Any feedback in terms of one's experiences most welcome! Cheers! Audrey & Wonderful Woody the IRLGuideDogs mailing list Send messages to irlguidedogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe, vacation or digest options can be set by emailing irlguidedogs-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with a command in the subject line. For help simply type help. For help you may contact Darragh Ó Héiligh or Nicky Kealy at irlguidedogs-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx For information on this list including policies and rules please visit //www.freelists.org/webpage/irlguidedogs the IRLGuideDogs mailing list Send messages to irlguidedogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe, vacation or digest options can be set by emailing irlguidedogs-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with a command in the subject line. For help simply type help. For help you may contact Darragh Ó Héiligh or Nicky Kealy at irlguidedogs-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx For information on this list including policies and rules please visit //www.freelists.org/webpage/irlguidedogs the IRLGuideDogs mailing list Send messages to irlguidedogs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe, vacation or digest options can be set by emailing irlguidedogs-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with a command in the subject line. For help simply type help. For help you may contact Darragh Ó Héiligh or Nicky Kealy at irlguidedogs-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx For information on this list including policies and rules please visit //www.freelists.org/webpage/irlguidedogs