Owner's eyes - Guide dog for the blind
Table of Contents
Guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs for people with disabilities are essential to their masters. They therefore have a special status recognized by law for 30 years, which was reinforced in 2005 within the framework of the Law for equal rights and opportunities. Thus, a certain number of prerogatives guarantee the access of guide dogs to places open to the public, transport included.
Access for guide and assistance dogs in air transport
The case of the plane is particular since the animals must normally travel
there in the hold for security reasons. However, the European regulation of
July 26, 2006 provides for an obligation for the carrier to take charge of
the assistance dog accompanying any disabled passenger, and to have it
travel in the cabin with its master.
Airport employees are required to take charge of the animal on the ground
and to take the necessary steps to ensure its transit and installation with
its master in complete safety. This regulation applies to both departure and
arrival and also concernas transit situations in all airports of a Member
State of the European Union.
Guide and assistance dogs in hospitals and medical settings
Of course, a disabled person coming to receive medical care in a hospital, a
clinic, an office or any other structure, whether public or private, has the
right to access it in the company of his dog. Thus, the Ministry of Social
Affairs and National Solidarity provides access for guide dogs and
assistance dogs in hospitals, in medical and social reception structures,
and in their waiting rooms.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Part 1
Regulations on access to places of leisure open to the public
The law for equal rights and opportunities, participation and citizenship of
people with disabilities requires the reception of guide and assistance dogs
within all structures open to the public. Legally, none of these places is
supposed to be an exception, whether they are public establishments
(swimming pools, municipal parks, libraries, etc.) or private ones (leisure
and amusement parks, sports, establishments offering relaxation and leisure
activities: bars, casinos, bowling alleys, etc.). With regard to shops and
restaurants, a derogation dated June 13, 1986 authorizes guide dogs and
assistance dogs to accompany their owner.
Retirement homes and collective catering establishments
Again, the availability of guide and assistance dogs is mandatory in care
and retirement homes. As far as collective catering facilities are
concerned, any presence of animals is of course prohibited in the kitchens
and preparation areas, for obvious reasons of hygiene. On the other hand, it
must be authorized in places of consumption (dining rooms, canteens).
Wearing a muzzle for guide dogs: compulsory or not?
No, the exemption from the muzzle is applicable within the framework of the
law of February 11, 2005: "dogs accompanying disabled people, whatever the
type of disability, and whose owners justify education are exempted
wearing a muzzle in public places.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Part 2
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