Report by the European Blind Union, July 2000
Picture description
Introduction
This report compiles information on guide dog access to public places and facilities. An ever increasing number of guide dog owners travel throughout Europe for business, social reasons or leisure.The access situation in most European countries is however very complex : in one same country, there may be several access regulations with varying geographical scope. In others, there are simply no regulations at all.
Across the board, access for guide dog owners heavily depends on the good will and support of well-informed staff. This means that there is always the possibility of a guide dog owner being denied access to, say, a hotel or a cinema either because the owner/manager is not receptive to visually impaired people's mobility problems, or because he is simply not aware of regulations, where they exist.
Restrictions to guide dog access is a major obstacle on visually impaired people's road to inclusion and independent life. As consistently claimed by visually impaired people and their organisations, the way forward boils down into the introduction of harmonised European positive regulations that would secure universal access for all guide dog owners in Europe.
N.B. : Readers will find that no guide dog access information is provided for a number of European countries. This is mainly due to the fact that it has not always been possible to identify relevant information sources. In some cases, lack of information is accounted for by the fact that the use of guide dogs as a mobility aid is only marginal.
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BELGIUM
The number of active guide dog users in Belgium is generally estimated to be between 350 and 400.Although there are no specific regulations, guide dog access to public buildings (administration, schools, etc.) is hardly a problem. A slight exception to this are hospitals where guide dogs must be left in reception area. Organisations of the blind in Belgium are currently working towards the adoption of a national law governing guide dog access.
All public transport (trains, undergrounds, buses, planes, ships) are accessible to guide dog owners provided they carry their disability card. Guide dogs travel free of charge. As regards taxis, the situation varies from one taxi operator to the other : for example, a major company operating in Brussels has equipped its cars with blankets for guide dogs. Of course, taxi drivers may deny access simply because they are afraid of dogs. The Belgian airway company SABENA accepts guide dogs free of charge, but owners must advise the company when buying his/her ticket.
Access to cultural and catering facilities (cinemas, museums, restaurants, hotels, etc.) mainly depends on the good will and support of informed staff.
Some supermarkets have used advertisements showing a blind person with his guide dog to advise that their premises are accessible.
Puppies are vaccinated against rabies (only compulsory vaccination in Belgium). Vaccination against distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo virus is recommended for guide dogs entering Belgium.
Besides, it is compulsory for puppies (born, bought or sold) to be identifiable either by microchip or tattoo. It is therefore recommended for guide dogs entering Belgium to carry some form of identification.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Belgium.
Guide dogs are generally provided free of charge although the situation may vary from one guide dog school to the other.
Information provided by Les Amis des Aveugles
Website : www.amisdesaveugles.be
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FINLAND
There are 205 active guide dog users in Finland.Public buildings, cultural facilities, catering (hotels, restaurants, etc.), supermarkets, and most public transport are accessible to guide dog owners. However, minor problems with regard to access to trains have been reported.
Puppies between 30 days and one year of age are vaccinated against rabies.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Finland.
Guide dogs are provided free of charge.
Information provided by the Finnish Guide Dog School. Further details are available at www.opaskoirakoulu.fi
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FRANCE
There are 1500 active guide dog users in France.The Law of 31 July 1987 provides free access for guide dog owners to all places and facilities open to the general public.
With regard to public buildings and catering facilities however, the Law imposes sanitary restrictions prohibiting guide dog access to e.g. care units in hospitals, kitchens in catering facilities, etc.
It may be requested that guide dogs are muzzled in public transport. Some private transport companies impose access restrictions.
Across the board, the 1987 Law does not seem to be adequately publicized. There have been several reported cases of guide dog owners being refused access to public facilities (cinemas, restaurants, etc.) by staff who were unaware of existing provisions.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter France. A guide dog user may travel to France provided :
a) his/her guide dog is at least 3 months old,
b) his/her guide dog is identifiable either by microchip or tattoo, or else by a description written by a qualified veterinary,
c) he/she holds a certificate by a qualified veterinary, showing that the guide dog has had vaccination against rabies and that the vaccin is still effective.
For guide dogs coming from countries which have been rabies free for the last 3 years, only a certificate by a qualified veterinary proving the dog comes from such a country and shows no clinical sign of disease is necessary. In any case, a guide dog user must always carry his/her disability card.
Guide dogs are provided free of charge.
Information provided by the French National Federation of Guide Dogs Schools for the Blind. Further details are available at www.chiensguides.com
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GERMANY
The number of active guide dog users in Germany is generally estimated to be betwwen 1500 and 2000 (it is difficult to provide an accurate figure as German guide dog owners are not registered as such).There are no explicit regulations governing the access of guide dogs to public buildings, but, in practice, access to administrative buildings is hardly a problem.
As regards access to schools and hospitals, there is a State report establishing that, except for premises requiring to be kept sterile, there are no reasons why blind people should not be allowed to be accompanied by their guide dogs in hospitals or a doctor's practice. The fact remains however that access to hospitals and schools may be denied to guide dog users. An exception to this is the State of Slesvig Holstein, where guide dogs are explicitely exempt from the regulation banning the presence of dogs in public places such as playgrounds, hospitals and schools.
A guide dog owner is allowed to travel with his/her guide dog on public transport, with the dog being transported free of charge. Private bus operators cause problems now and again. Taxi operators are bound to a regulation which places upon taxi drivers an obligation to accept a guide dog owner.
There are no explicit legal provisions governing access to cultural facilities, the only exception being the Dogs Owner Directive in force in the State of Slesvig Holstein. Access to cinemas, theatres, museums, libraries, etc. mainly depends on the good will and support of informed staff.
The Federal Directive on Hygiene and Foodstuffs includes no explicit access right for guide dog owners with regard to catering facilities (restaurants, hotels, holiday centers, etc.). It does however make special reference to the fact that there are no food safety reasons why access to catering facilities should be denied to guide dogs. Therefore, facilities selling foodstuffs cannot hide behind food safety regulations when refusing access to guide dog owners. Some owners/managers of such facilities simply avail themselves of the householder's right to forbid entrance.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Germany. A guide dog user may travel to Germany provided he/she can establish that his/her guide dog has been vaccinated against rabies.
Most guide dog users obtain their dogs free of charge. The cost of training both the blind person and the guide dog - approximately 15,400 Euros - is covered by a number of funding programmes (e.g. National Health Insurance, War Veterans, Accident Insurance).
Information provided by DBSV (German Federation of Blind and Visually Impaired People)
Website : www.dbsv.org
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IRELAND
There are approximately 120 active guide dog owners in the Republic of Ireland. A doubling of this number is planned in the next 10 years.No statutory regulations exist with regard to access for guide dog owners.
Public transport companies have a code of practice, which allows guide dogs to travel on trains and buses free of charge. Blind people carry free bus passes to identify themselves. Taxis, planes and ships however, have their own particular rules, which change from company to company.
Cinemas, theatres, museums and libraries are approached on individual basis. Generally, guide dog owners have access, so long as the dog is clearly identified as a guide dog and the guide dog owner carries ID proving he is a bonafide guide dog owner.
Guide dogs carrying an ID card endorsed by the Association of Environmental Health Officers of Ireland are exempt from health regulations governing the operation of food premises (restaurants, pubs, etc). Unfortunately, a local proprietor/manager is often unaware of this and may refuse entry. By and large, guide dog owners rely on the good will and support of informed staff.
The guide dog access to supermarkets, department stores, shops, etc. again depends on the individual proprietor/manager's decision.
With regard to our vaccination programme, our puppies at 10 and 12 weeks of age are vaccinated against distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo virus, as well as para influenza in both its forms. Each dog is booster vaccinated once a year, throughout its life, and worming occurs on a twice-yearly basis, with the use of a broad-spectrum wormer.
With regard to quarantine measures, Ireland has not signed up for the recent Pet Travel Scheme, operated throughout the UK and selected countries in mainland Europe. However, specially licensed owners can travel via the UK, if they meet all the criteria. See UK Guide Dogs website : gdba.org.uk
All services are provided free of charge. Guide dog owners pay IR Pounds 0.50 lease fee for their dog, and a nominal £ 5.00 a week board and lodging charge for their 3-week stay at the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind Training Centre in Cork.
Information provided by the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Website : www.guidedogs.ie
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ITALY
The Law of 25 August 1988 (Article 1) provides that a blind person is entitled to be accompanied by his own guide dog during his journeys on any public means of transport. The guide dog travels free of charge. It also provides that guide dog owners are allowed to enter public buildings and shops.Puppies are vaccinated, at 6 weeks of age : against distemper, canine hepatitis and parvo virus ; 9 weeks : against distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo virus ; 12 weeks : against distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo virus ; 15 weeks : against distemper, canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo virus, rabies (only for dogs that are assigned to blind people who live in regions where it is compulsory) ; 18 weeks : against parvo virus.
Each dog is booster vaccinated once a year, throughout its life.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Italy. Guide dogs, just like other dogs that travel to Italy, must have a certificate issued by the Health Authorities of the country of origin proving their good health condition and their vaccinations.
Guide dogs are provided free of charge.
Information provided by Scuola Nazionale Cani Guida per Ciechi
Website : www.rete.toscana.it/sett/polsoc/scuolacaniguida
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THE NETHERLANDS
There are approximately 500 active guide dog users in the Netherlands.Although there are no explicit regulations in the Dutch legislation, guide dog access to public places and transport is hardly a problem. Access to administration, hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, shops and other public facilities depends on the good will and support of informed staff, and is very rarely denied.
Guide dogs are allowed on public transport. Of course, a guide dog owner must notify an airway company that he intends to travel with his guide dog.
Puppies are vaccinated against rabies.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter the Netherlands.
Guide dogs are provided free of charge.
Information provided by Koninklijk Nederlands Geleidehonden Fonds
Website : www.geleidehond.nl
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RUSSIA
The number of active guide dog users in Russia is approximately 800.There are guide dog access regulations in Russia, but these only apply to public transport and shops. Guide dog admittance to administrative buildings and other state-run facilities and services is hardly a problem. Access to facilities and services in the private sector is left to the good will of operators.
A Regulation of the Council of Ministers (12 July 1965) provides guide dog access to any kind of city transport (except metro) and to intercity buses. In addition, guide dogs are transported free of charge on :
- Aircrafts (Decree No 26.8 T-8 of the Civil Aviation Ministry, 21 July 1982). To comply with safety and sanitary regulations, guide dogs must be muzzled, be kept on a lead and carry a veterinary authorization.
- Passenger ships on inland waterway.
- Trains (Decree No 14-17 of the Rail Transport Ministry, 28 July 1986).
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Russia.
There is only one guide dog school in Russia : the Russian Guide Dog School for the Blind. The cost of training a guide dog is about 3 500 dollars.
Guide dogs are provided free of charge to members of the All-Russia Association of the Blind (VOS), provided they can support and take care of their guide dogs.
Information provided by the All-Russia Association of the Blind (VOS)
Fax : +7 095 923 9149
E-mail : oms@vos.org.ru
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SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Slovak Republic has 54 active guide dog users.Although there are no specific guide dog access regulations in Slovak Republic, guide dogs have free access to all hospitals, schools, administrative buildings, sport and other public facilities.
Guide dogs are transported on all means of public transport. When applicable, the seat located behind the driver is reserved for passengers with guide dogs. In addition, guide dog owners have priority over passengers with non-service dogs. Guide dogs enjoy free access to sleeping carriages on trains.
Guide dogs are allowed in all cultural facilities. The same goes for hotels, holiday centers and restaurants.
Guide dogs are also allowed in shops. As regards food stores however, access is limited to the cashdesk area.
Guide dogs are not required to be muzzled in public places and facilities as a whole.
Vaccination against rabies, with yearly boosters, is compulsory. In the emergence of rabies, guide dog meetings are prohibited in the affected areas.
The average price of a guide dog is 2 200 dollars. Guide dogs are provided free of charge to blind people whose income does not exceed twice the minimum living income. Above that limit, a financial participation, increasing in proportion with the person's income, is requested - e.g. between twice and three times the minimum living income : 5 per cent of the guide dog's cost ; between 3 and 4 times : 10 per cent ; over 6 times, the blind person must cover the total cost.
Information provided by the Slovak Blind and Partially Sighted Union
Website : www.unss.sk
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SPAIN
There are 562 active guide dogs owners in Spain.There are explicit regulations governing guide dog access to public places and facilities in all the autonomous Communities of Spain, except La Rioja.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Spain.
Guide dogs are provided free of charge.
Further information is available from Fundacion ONCE del Perro Guia :
Tel : +34 91 632 4636, Fax : +34 91 632 4638
E-mail : mdce@once.es
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SWITZERLAND
Switzerland has approximately 350 guide dog users.Across the board, there are no specific regulations governing guide dog access.
Access to public buildings (administration, hospitals, schools, etc.) and to cultural and catering facilities (cinemas, museums, restaurants, hotels, etc.) is generally permitted but is always subject to the good will of operators.
There are no restrictions as regards guide dog access to public transport. Guide dogs are transported free of charge, including when the blind user travels with an escorting person (Note : escorting person also travels free of charge).
Guide dog access to supermarkets, department stores, shops is subject to a decree of the Swiss Health and Food Authorities (April 1989) which provides that no animals are allowed to enter shops except for guide dogs on duty.
Guide dogs must be vaccinated against rabies.
There are no quarantine regulations to enter Switzerland.
Guide dogs are co-funded by the Swiss Health Authorities and by private foundations. They are in any case provided free of charge to the blind, who also receive a lump sum from the Government as compensation for food, equipment and veterinary expenses.
Information provided by :
Stiftung Schweizerische Schule fur Blindenfuhrhunde Allschwil
Website : www.blindenhundeschule.ch
and
Verein fr Blindenhunde und Mobilitatshilfen
Website : www.blindenhund.ch
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UNITED KINGDOM
No statutory regulations exist with regard to access for guide dog owners.Public transport companies have a code of practice, which allows guide dogs to travel on trains and buses free of charge, and blind people carry free bus passes to identify themselves. Taxis, planes and ships however have their own particular rules, which change from company to company.
Cultural and catering facilities (cinemas, museums, hotels, restaurants, etc.) are approached on an individual basis. Access depends on the good will and support of informed staff.
28 February 2000 was the start of the pilot Pets Travel Scheme (PETS). It marks the start of changes in the UK quarantine laws, allowing British residents and people travelling to the UK from overseas to bring in their pet cats and dogs as long as specific criteria are met. This means that visually impaired people have a new choice to take their guide dogs abroad to the various qualifying countries. Full implementation of the PETS scheme is due by April 2001.
- Under the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme, taking a dog abroad for the first time should be planned at least seven months in advance.
- Pilot scheme routes will include the Calais to Dover sea crossings, Eurotunnel Shuttle Services, certain sea routes into Portsmouth from France. Certain air routes into Heathrow from Europe are expected to commence later in the pilot scheme.
To travel abroad, the following government requirements must be met :
1) The dog must first have a microchip implanted. The microchip must be ISO standard.
2) After microchipping, the dog must be given a rabies vaccination.
3) One month after vaccination, the dog must have a blood test to confirm immunity. NB : confirmation must be received at least six months before the planned return date to the UK.
4) To leave the UK on a day trip, owners need to get tick and tapeworm treatment for their dog, together with a certificate to say that it has been given by a vet. This should be done in the UK in the 24 to 48 hour period before the return journey starts. Some countries, including France, also require another separate certificate, known as export health certificate, to show that your dog meets certain health conditions set out by that country. Without this, dogs will not be allowed to enter that country. Owners should apply to their local Animal Health Office for this certificate at least 10 days before they travel.
5) Certification signed by an authorised veterinary surgeon confirming that all the above requirements have been met must accompany the dog.
Should guide dogs fail to meet any of the requirements of PETS on their return to the UK, they will be subject to quarantine until proof of their identity, etc. can be provided.
Countries that are included in the PETS pilot are as follows : Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechstentein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.
It is hoped that guide dogs will also be allowed to travel between UK, and Australia and New Zealand under the pilot scheme. This will depend however on the UK Government's discussions with the Australian and New Zealand authorities, and whether airlines are prepared to act as carriers.
Arrangements for travel to the Republic of Ireland and Channel Islands remain unchanged for the time being.
Information provided by the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. Further details are available at : www.gdba.org.uk
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