By: Stephanie Pilon
Every September, Guide Dog Access Awareness Month highlights the important role of guide dogs, the rights of guide dog handlers, and the laws that protect them.
Across Canada, human rights legislation prohibits discrimination against individuals accompanied by guide dogs, ensuring they have access to public places such as stores, restaurants, hotels, taxis, and more. However, despite these legal protections, guide dog handlers often still face barriers and are denied access to public spaces and services.
This discrimination frequently stems from a lack of awareness. Many people are unaware of how to behave around guide dogs or may not realize that denying access to guide dog handlers is against the law. That’s why Guide Dog Access Awareness Month is so important: to educate the public about guide dog etiquette, the rights of guide dog handlers, and the legal obligations of businesses and service providers.
This year, CNIB’s annual awareness campaign will focus on access in health care settings.
Guide dog handlers have the right to enter medical clinics, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, hospitals, and similar facilities with their guide dogs. They are also entitled to visit family members in any area of a health care setting where other visitors are allowed. In rare cases, such as operating rooms or areas with radiation exposure, guide dogs may be excluded for safety reasons; however, reasonable accommodations must be provided to their handlers. Register for our virtual information session about guide dogs and health care spaces on Monday, September 29.
We can all play a part in making our communities more inclusive for guide dog teams by learning about guide dog legislation, following proper guide dog etiquette, and advocating for equal access. By educating ourselves and others, we can help foster acceptance and ensure the rights of guide dog handlers are always respected. To learn more or become a guide dog champion, visit guidedogchampions.ca.
Registration is now open for CNIB's virtual Guide Dog AdvoCamp!
Join us throughout the month of September to meet a community of guide dog handlers from across Canada and build your advocacy skills. Take part in a series of interactive sessions covering topics like guide dog handler rights, navigating difficult conversations, assertive advocacy, canine enrichment ideas, and more – plus fun social events! All sessions are available online via Zoom. Join us online to connect, learn, and strengthen your guide dog advocacy skills and confidence! Learn more about AdvoCamp and register.