Advocate

If you are struggling to communicate your rights you can read or show the below statement to help support you.

Wherever possible, ask to speak to the on shift manager or the most senior member of staff on duty.  

Refusing access to a disabled person due to their assistance dog is against the law (Equality Act 2010 and Disability Discrimination Act 1995). An assistance dog is an auxillary aid, just like a wheelchair, walking stick or crutch. My dog is highly trained to behave appropriately and mitigate my disability, and I require their support to perform every day activities.

Thank you for your cooperation, will you allow me to proceed?

Evidence

You can also show them the below resources to help support your advocacy. 

Report

In response to the above, the service will either refuse or approve you to access with your assistance dog. Please complete the form below as soon as possible with information regarding the challenge or refusal. 

In response to the form completion, we will do 3 things:

• Contact the service provider by email (where provided) to provide additional education regarding assistance dogs and the rights of their handler's. 
• Contact you to tell you what we have sent and inform you of any follow up (where applicable). 
• Retain the information to document the spread of access challenges and refusals and to establish recurring patterns.