Cabbies told to end ‘discrimination’ against customers with guide dogs in East Renfrewshire

A number of visually-impaired people have complained about being turned away by private hire drivers because they had a guide dog with them.

One woman who relies on an assistance dog to get out and about told the Barrhead News that discrimination is becoming increasingly common.

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“In the five years I’ve had my guide dog, I’ve found I’m being refused by taxis more and more often,” said the woman, who is from Neilston but asked not to be named.

“It makes you feel really vulnerable, especially if it is late at night or you are on your own.

“Being refused access to a taxi does make me feel like a second-class citizen. Why shouldn’t I have the same rights to a taxi as everyone else?”

Emma Brown, communications officer for Guide Dogs Scotland, has urged East Renfrewshire Council to clamp down on any cabbie who is guilty of discrimination against visually-impaired passengers.

She said: “Guide dogs are working animals, not pets, and their owners rely on them for both independence and mobility.

“We ask licensing authorities to have a zero-tolerance policy to access refusals.”

Michael McEwan, chair of East Renfrewshire Disability Action, believes more must be done to raise awareness of such issues.

He said: “I think it is terrible that anyone would be refused access to a taxi simply because they rely on a guide dog.”

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The Equality Act 2010 states that cabbies must carry assistance dogs unless they have genuine health reasons not to do so, such as an allergy.

Even then, drivers must have an official exemption certificate to prove this.

East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton has received several complaints from visually-impaired residents who have been refused access to a cab.

That has prompted him to write to Scotland’s Transport Minister, Michael Matheson, to call for action.

Mr Masterton said: “Private hire companies must not be allowed to discriminate. I want this matter to be looked at urgently, to ensure visually-impaired individuals are treated with dignity and respect by private hire companies and cannot be refused a lift simply because they have a guide dog.”

One Barrhead cab firm, Arthurlie Taxis, confirmed its drivers are told that, unless they have a medical certificate, they have to take guide dogs.

A spokeswoman added: “We did have a note on our wall to let the drivers know they can refuse an ordinary dog but cannot refuse a guide dog.”

East Renfrewshire Council said it is “not aware” of any instances taking place in the area.

However, a spokesperson added that “appropriate action” would be taken should the council receive evidence of any such refusals.