By: Larissa Proctor
Held every September, Guide Dog, Access Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about the rights of guide dog handlers, the legal responsibilities of businesses when providing service or access to a guide dog team, and to champion equal access for guide dog teams.
In all of Canada's provinces and territories, human rights legislation prohibits discriminating against a person with a disability who is working with a guide dog. Discrimination includes denial of access to any premises to which the public would normally have access – penalties under human rights legislation range from $100 to $10,000. (For more information, visit our Guide Dog Legislation page).
Despite this legislation, people partnered with guide dogs continue to encounter discrimination when they’re denied access to public places and services, such as stores, restaurants, hotels, taxis, etc. Access barriers persist for guide dog handlers across Canada despite laws protecting their rights.
That's why Guide Dog Access Awareness Month is so important – to educate people about guide dog handlers, their rights and the laws that protect them, and the responsibilities businesses and people bear when providing service or access to a guide dog team.
In the lead-up to Guide Dog Access Awareness Month, Kelly Picco, Program Lead of Community and Volunteer Engagement in Newfoundland has been hard at work ensuring that the local community understands the rights of guide dog teams. In recent months, Kelly and CNIB guide dog Maple has been presenting to various children’s groups, including daycare centres, Girl Guides of Canada branches, and summer camps. In September, Kelly will lead efforts to distribute window decals to local businesses that read, “Guide Dogs Welcome: It’s the Law.”
You can help ensure the rights of guide dog handlers are upheld by becoming a guide dog champion. Visit CNIB’s Guide Dog Champions page to find out how. Order a free window decal for your business, print the colouring sheet and post it on your social media this September with the hashtag #GDAAM.
Together, we can raise awareness that guide dogs belong everywhere.