Seeing Eye Survey Finds Majority of Guide Dog
Users Report Service Denials, Despite Legal Protections
MORRISTOWN, N.J., May 21, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Findings in a recent report from The Seeing Eye
about access barriers faced by guide dog handlers, reveals that 80%
of guide dog handlers have experienced a denial of service from a
rideshare service; 62% of respondents encounter challenges with air
travel due to accessibility; and 54% of guide dog handlers surveyed
were illegally required to show ID before entering a business. The
full report is available at www.seeingeye.org/accessreport.
Access barriers are not just about a denial of service. Service
dog handlers face challenges with unequal access to goods or
services in the form of discrimination which can include segregated
seating at a restaurant, isolation of the team for the convenience
of other patrons, requests for pet deposits, or requests for
identification.
"As a guide dog handler, it is challenging to encounter access
barriers while simply trying to go about everyday life. There's not
only an economic impact from missed opportunities, but also an
emotional toll of having to justify one's right to be accompanied
by a guide dog for independent travel," said Seeing Eye Sr.
Specialist of Advocacy and Government Relations Melissa Allman.
"However, ninety-five percent of guide dog handlers responded that
they would not let these challenges stand in their way. It's
heartening to hear how many of my fellow handlers are prepared to
self-advocate and will continue to exercise their right to work
with service animals."
The report comes from an online survey completed by more than
500 guide dog handlers across the United
States and Canada in
October and November 2023. The survey
was broken down topically with questions about access barriers
encountered in public places, rideshares, and air travel.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINDINGS: The statistics below were
gathered from responses by guide dog handlers in the United States. The full report includes
results from Canadian guide dog handlers and a breakdown by U.S.
Region.
Access to Public Places:
- 22% of respondents have been told their dogs must wear a vest
to enter public places. There is no legal requirement in either
country that service animals wear specific equipment to demonstrate
that they are in fact service animals.
- 54% of respondents have been told they must show ID to enter a
business. ADA regulations make clear that it is illegal in the U.S.
to require that people with service animals show ID to enter a
business.
- 55% of respondents were told they could not enter with their
dogs because other people accessing the business could have
allergies, which is illegal in both the U.S. and Canada.
- 48% of respondents have been told at restaurants that they
could only sit outside or far from other patrons with their dogs,
even though laws in both countries make it illegal to segregate or
isolate patrons due to the presence of a service animal.
- 75% of respondents reported that within the past 5 years, they
have been prevented from safely working with their guide dogs
inside businesses and other public places due to an increase in
poorly behaved dogs.
Rideshares: 76% of respondents said they use rideshares to get
around with their guide dogs.
- 81% of respondents who are rideshare users have experienced a
denial of service due to the presence of their guide dogs.
- 45% said they sometimes decide not to bring their guide dogs
with them because of their experiences with being denied
rides.
- More than 62% of respondents had drivers who accepted the ride
but complained about having to transport the dog throughout the
trip. Some guide dog handlers were charged cleaning fees or
received bad ratings.
Air Travel: About 63% of respondents said they travel by air at
least once per year.
- 62% of respondents have had problems completing the behavior
and health attestation forms air travelers with service animals
must now complete pursuant to current regulations, due to
inaccessibility or a lack of technology.
- 55% of respondents have been required by TSA to be separated
from their guide dog during screening or to remove equipment from
their dog that is necessary for the dog to work, such as the leash,
harness, or collar even though these demands go against TSA
protocol for screening service animals.
These findings come in the wake of the organization's
95th anniversary which was accompanied by a call for
stronger advocacy for service dog handlers' rights, and on the
heels of a 2019 Seeing Eye study published in the Journal of Visual
Impairment & Blindness about public interference with guide
dogs which also emphasized the need for more education among the
public.
Visit The Seeing Eye Advocacy Center at
www.seeingeye.org/advocacy for more about guide dog handlers'
rights and to download The Seeing Eye Advocacy App for Apple and
Android devices, which contains federal, state, and
provincial laws and regulations in the United States and Canada and other educational materials.
Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and
trained dogs to guide people who are blind or have low
vision. Seeing Eye dog handlers experience greatly enhanced
mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active
lifestyles. The Seeing Eye is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by
contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations,
bequests, and other planned gifts. The Seeing Eye does not receive
government or insurance funding.
The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to
describe the dogs bred and trained at the school's facilities
in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The
Seeing Eye, please visit the website at www.SeeingEye.org,
call (973) 539-4425,
or email info@seeingeye.org.
Contact: Ronica Cleary
302-414-9977
Media@ClearyStrategies.com
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SOURCE The Seeing Eye