The Guide Dogs has written to local authorities seeking support for its "Open Doors" campaign to end illegal access refusals. 

Guide Dogs is calling for all Licensing Authorities in England to:

• require taxi and minicab drivers to take disability equality training, as a condition of receiving their licence;
• adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any reports of taxi and PHV drivers refusing access to assistance dog owners;
• share the attached guidance on the law on carrying guide or other assistance dogs with all taxi and PHV operators, and self-employed drivers licensed in your area.

In the correspondence to local authorities, Jessica Luke, Regional Policy and Campaigns Manager, wrote:

"We would be very grateful if you could circulate guidance on an annual basis to reduce the number of illegal access refusals and help more people with sight loss to live the life they choose.

"For more information on how best to mitigate barriers to the carriage of guide or other assistance dogs, please see section 4.8 of the UK Government’s Inclusive Transport Strategy."#

Guide Dogs research shows that over 80% of guide dog owners have experienced an access refusal – and 63% have been refused access to a taxi or PHV in the 12-month period prior to our survey. This experience can affect their confidence and ability to get out and about independently.