By: Jenna Persaud
With generous funding from The Law Foundation of Ontario, CNIB created new resources designed to educate police, guide dog handlers, and the greater public about the legal rights of guide dog handlers under Ontario’s Blind Persons’ Rights Act.
These resources include a training video for police services across Ontario and legal information workshops for guide dog handlers in Ontario.
Police Training Video 
In collaboration with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Toronto Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service and York Regional Police, CNIB developed a training video to educate police about the lived experiences of guide dog handlers, Ontario’s Blind Persons’ Rights Act, and the steps that police can take to educate service providers and enforce the Act.
The training video premiered at a screening event held in January at Hot Docs Theatre in Toronto. The project team, together with the Law Foundation of Ontario, video participants, police partners, filmmakers, and CNIB staff and donors, gathered for a reception, film screening, and panel discussion.
Watch the full-length 30-minute video. Alternatively, the section of the video that sets out how to enforce the Blind Persons’ Rights Act is also available as a self-contained clip.
Legal Information Workshops
The project team is now developing a curriculum for legal information workshops that will be delivered to guide dog handlers in Ontario.
These workshops will provide handlers with information about their legal rights, including the rights set out in Ontario’s Blind Persons’ Rights Act. Approximately 13 workshops will be delivered in person and virtually, beginning in the spring. Stay tuned for confirmed dates and details.
For information about the Guide Dog Handlers and Police Training Project, please email jenna.persaud@cnib.ca.