If you have an assistance dog you know how invaluable they are when it comes to getting out and about safely and with greater confidence.
As an assistance dog owner, you may occasionally be refused access to a restaurant, shop, taxi, or other service. Being refused access can be difficult and distressing. Confusion and ignorance of the law may be the cause, and a simple explanation is often all that’s needed. However, in some cases further action may need to be taken.
The law protects your right to access most services with your assistance dog. In exceptional circumstances where you can’t be accompanied by your assistance dog, reasonable adjustments should be made to ensure you can access the service.
For more information about your rights under the Equality Act 2010, visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website - Equality Human Rights Commission. If you experience an access refusal from a service provider, you can also seek advice from the organisation that provided your assistance dog - Assistance Dogs UK Members.
Brent Council fully supports the rights of assistance dog owners to access services when accompanied by their assistance dog.
If you are a business in Brent, we have provided some information on what you can do to support assistance dog owners.