Before serving me, an employee or business owner asked me to show them official identification for my guide dog – is this allowed?

It is not entirely clear whether this is allowed. This may be discriminatory, especially if it is obvious that the dog is a guide dog. With that being said, it’s probably a good idea to carry identification on your person, just in case. If a dispute arises, you may want to consult a lawyer about your options. You may also wish to refer to the section of this handbook, titled What can I do to enforce my legal rights?

Wayfinding

Wayfinding refers to technological tools that assist partially sighted, blind and Deafblind persons with navigation and orientation. Such tools include:

BlindSquare: a GPS app developed for people with sight loss that describes the environment and announces points of interest and street intersections. 

Key 2 Access: a pedestrian mobility app that allows users to wirelessly request crossing at intersections without having to locate the button on the pole. It also allows users to wirelessly open doors and obtain information about indoor spaces. 

Access Now: a map application that shares accessibility information for locations based on users’ feedback. 

Be My Eyes: a volunteer-based app that connects people with sight loss to sighted volunteers, who can assist with tasks such as checking expiry dates, distinguishing colours, reading instructions or navigating new surroundings. 

The American Foundation for the Blind provides an overview of some of the apps that are available to assist consumers with reading items such as product labels and menus.