Having created a life-enhancing partnership providing independence, confidence and security we do not want that to be hindered through ignorance and/or unlawful behaviours and practices.
We are working hard to ensure hearing dog owners have equal respect and full inclusion in society with the same chances, opportunities and choices as their counterparts.
Problems can arise when employers and service providers object to the presence of a hearing dog, which is potentially unlawful and distressing for the recipient.
The provision of a hearing dog is designed to improve the quality of life for a deaf person. If such provision causes distress and humiliation because of the refusal of access to education, housing, employment or the provision of goods and services while accompanied by a hearing dog, then as a responsible and professional organisation we have a moral obligation to do something.
The Charity has an Access and inclusions Manager. One of his jobs is to write to employers and service providers advising them about their legal duty to make reasonable adjustments where access is denied. Large companies always reply; small companies seldom respond, hoping the issue will go away if ignored. Large or small, there is always the potential for legal action if unlawful indirect disability discrimination has occurred.
For further information about Access and Inclusion please contact:
Philip M.N. Biggs
Access & Inclusion Manager
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
E-mail philip.biggs@hearingdogs.org.uk
Fax: 01844-348-101
Text: 07876-198-864
We are currently working on a project with the Accessible Tourist Campaign in England and Scotland. Our Access and Inclusions Manager sits on a steering group with the Equality and Diversity Manager at VisitScotland, which has been very productive. This has resulted in significant improvements to information on its website regarding assistance dogs, including hearing dogs. In addition, VisitScotland and VisitEngland accreditation now means people in the hospitality sector will be questioned about assistance dogs as part of their assessment.
