Nus Ghani tested her taxi hailing skills with a guide dog at Conservative Party Conference.
Nus participated in a role-play session at the Guide Dogs stand where she tried to hail a taxi to take a guide dog owner to her local football match. Nus heard about the real problems assistance dog owners face when being illegally refused by taxis.
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for a taxi driver to refuse to take a guide dog, or assistance dog, or to charge extra for carrying it. However, Guide Dogs research found that 42 per cent of guide dog owners have been turned away by a taxi in a one-year period because of their dog. The research also found that 38 per cent of guide dog owners have been asked to pay an extra fare for carrying their dog.
Nus is supporting Guide Dogs’ call for all taxi drivers to undertake disability equality training so they understand the rights and needs of disabled passengers and feel confident in offering assistance. The campaign is supported by more than 30 organisations, including trade bodies, local government representatives and disability groups.
As former Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment, Nus has been a long-term campaigner for blind and visually impaired people, many of whom rely on guide dogs. Nus continues to champion the interests of blind and partially sighted people, both in Wealden and nationally.
Commenting on the issue, Ms Ghani said: “It is unacceptable that people with guide dogs are still being turned away by taxi drivers for no reason. Aside from being illegal, this can have the effect of knocking people’s confidence and preventing them from doing everyday activities that many of us take for granted.
We must not underestimate the hurdles, time and energy it takes many people with visual impairment or mobility issues to live independently and to access the things that the rest of us do to enable us to live a full life.
Every person with a guide dog in Wealden should feel confident in being able to take a taxi, whether they are meeting friends for a coffee in Hailsham, going shopping on Crowborough high street, or going to watch the Albion play in Brighton.”
