Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether her Department issues guidance to the hospitality sector on the statutory entitlement of visually impaired people to access premises with their guide dogs.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published clear guidance on this matter. This is part of its work to ensure that businesses and service providers - including those in the hospitality sector - are aware of their legal responsibilities towards disabled customers with assistance dogs (including guide dogs) and are equipped with the knowledge to ensure the Equality Act 2010 is complied with.

The guidance, available on the EHRC website, makes it clear that businesses and service providers should allow assistance dogs access to buildings where dogs would normally not be permitted, whenever this is reasonable.

‘Assistance dogs: A guide for all businesses’

www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/assistance-dogs-a-guide-for-all-businesses.pdf

‘Take the lead: A guide to welcoming customers with assistance dogs’

www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/take-the-lead-welcoming-customers-with-assistance-dogs_0.pdf