Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has pledged his support to all people living with vision impairment through Guide Dogs’ Open Doors campaign.

At a parliamentary event hosted by the charity Guide Dogs, Wayne David MP met guide dog owners and listened to their experiences of being illegally turned away because they had their guide dog with them.

Recent research conducted by Guide Dogs found that 81% of guide dog owners have been refused access to a restaurant, shop, or taxi at some point because they were with their dog. And of these people, almost three in four (73%) said they experienced an access refusal at least once in the past 12 months. These refusals have a significant negative impact on the confidence, independence and wellbeing of people who have guide dogs.

Guide Dogs’ launched their Open Doors campaign aims to raise awareness of the rights assistance dog owners have, and the need for better enforcement and clearer laws.

Wayne David MP, who is supporting Guide Dogs’ Open Doors campaign, said:

“Taxi drivers in Caerphilly are very good, but a few years ago we had a few instances of some drivers not being as ‘welcoming’ as they should have been to Guide Dogs. That’s why I support this campaign. People who have visual impairment must have every confidence that all doors of taxis, and elsewhere, will always be open”.

Chris Theobald, Senior Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns Manager at Guide Dogs said:

“Guide dog owners have the right to live their lives the way they want and feel confident, independent, and supported in the world. The law is clear, and yet guide dog owners continue to experience access refusals, which are almost always illegal.

“That’s why we’re working to make sure everyone knows that guide dog owners have the right to access businesses and services with their guide dogs. We also want to see the law strengthened on access rights for assistance dogs, to prevent access refusals and to open doors for guide dogs.”