Held every September, Guide Dog Access Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and understanding of guide dogs, the rights of guide dog handlers, and to champion equal access for guide dog teams.
Guide dogs and their handlers are allowed access to any premises the public would normally have access to. These rights are protected by human rights legislation and provincial laws that prohibit discriminating against a person with a disability who is working with a guide dog.
Whether dining at a restaurant, shopping in a store, taking a taxi or rideshare, staying in a hotel, or flying across the country, guide dogs belong everywhere. It’s the law.
While guide dog refusals happen in many settings, transportation remains one of the most common areas where handlers encounter barriers and discrimination. That’s why, in support of our commitment to safe and accessible journeys, our advocacy campaign this year is focused on guide dog access in transportation.
Throughout September, we’ll be educating transportation providers about their legal responsibilities to welcome guide dog teams, empowering guide dog handlers to understand and advocate for their rights, sharing stories from our community, and encouraging everyone to follow proper guide dog etiquette.
How you can get involved
- Visit guidedogchampions.ca, CNIB’s resource hub for businesses and organizations looking to become more welcoming to guide dog teams.
- Learn more about guide dog legislation.
- Read and share our guide dog etiquette digital resource.
- Order a free ‘Guide dogs welcome’ window decal to display at your workplace.
- Register for our upcoming virtual sessions:
- Travelling with a Guide Dog 101 on Monday, September 13 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
- Accessible Travel: Tips, Tools and Supports on Tuesday, September 15 at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom. With special guests Kathy Calhune, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist with VLRC, and Terri Byrne, Accessibility and Passenger Experience Coordinator with the Edmonton International Airport.
- Know Your Rights – Federally Regulated Transportation on Tuesday, September 22 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
- Ontario’s Blind Persons’ Rights Act enforcement changes for guide dog handlers on Thursday, September 24 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.
Guide dog handler advocacy resources
CNIB provides advocacy support for guide dog handlers across Canada, regardless of where their dogs are trained.
If you are denied access, or if you witness a guide dog access refusal, speaking up matters. Knowing your rights can help you feel informed and prepared to advocate. Explore our guide dog handler advocacy resources for information and tools to help you understand your legal rights and how to advocate for yourself.
Together, we can foster greater understanding of the important role guide dogs play as partners in mobility for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, educate people about the rights of guide dog handlers and the legal obligations to provide access and service, and create more welcoming communities for guide dog teams across Canada.
Taylor Bauer
Program Lead, Awareness and Community Outreach, CNIB