Maria Caulfield, Member of Parliament for Lewes, was thrilled to attend the Guide Dogs Parliamentary event to continue to raise awareness of their Open Doors campaign.
The event had seven guide dog owners who joined Guide Dogs staff to speak to more than 140 MPs about the access refusals they have experienced because they were with their guide dog, and how MPs can support the Open Doors campaign.
Recent research conducted by Guide Dogs found that 81 per cent of guide dog owners have been refused access to a restaurant, shop, or taxi at some point because they were with their guide dog. And of those people, almost three in four (73 per cent) said they had experienced an access refusal at least once in the past 12 months.
The event was sponsored by Justin Tomlinson MP (Conservative, North Swindon) who spoke about the importance of strengthening the law to protect assistance dog owners from being refused entry.
Maria Caulfield MP said:
“I was really honoured to be able to join this important reception and hear from guide dog owners. The struggles they face on a daily basis is unacceptable and was heart-breaking to listen to. Whether it be being denied access in a taxi, restaurant or shop, this isn’t something those with guide dogs should have to experience. I will be raising this with my Ministerial colleagues to see what support we can provide.
Thank you very much to the seven guide dog owners (and their beautiful dogs!) who joined us and to Guide Dogs for organising a brilliant and important Parliamentary reception to raise awareness for their Open Doors Campaign.”