Dogs on human rights radar

13/11/2008

The definition of guide dogs will be extended to include animals assisting people with all forms of disability, consistent with Federal law, according to recent recommendation by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

“The issue with the public transportation of assistance animals needs to be completely resolved,” said Dr Szoke. “Refusal to take a passenger with a genuine assistance animal is unlawful and goes against their human rights.” Taxis are a critical form of public transport for people with all forms of disabilities, not only the blind. Recent media reports of taxi drivers refusing to transport guide dogs highlights ongoing discrimination against all people with disabilities in gaining equal access to the public transport system.

If taxi drivers don’t understand the law and the requirements of the job at the outset, then that is something that needs to be addressed.

The need for driver education and training about their legal responsibilities and awareness of the needs of people with disabilities is a key recommendation in the Commission’s 2007 report, Time to Respond: Realising Equality for people with a disability utilising taxi services.

This report revealed the system of entrenched discrimination that prevents people with disabilities from gaining equal access to taxi services and deters them from making a complaint.

Additional consultation and training may be required in response to situations whereby some drivers’ beliefs regarding dogs pose genuine difficulties in fulfilling the requirements of the job.

The Taxi Directorate recognises that taxi services are a critical means of public transport for people with disabilities, and has moved to evolve it’s service to comply with the law and meet people’s needs.

“The need to ensure accessibility of taxi services is critical as Melbourne’s bus, tram and train networks will not be completely accessible for another twenty-four years," said Dr Szoke.

“The issue of dogs on public transport must to be resolved to protect people with all forms of disability, and the Commission looks forward to the release of the Victorian Law Reform's report on Assistance Animals, expected to be tabled in State Parliament soon."

Download a copy of Time to Respond report

Dr Helen Szoke is available for interview.

Media contact: Janeen Lynch 0419 33 77 34