taxis and registered assistance dogs - Disability Discrimination

Dear Mr Heaton,

Please find reply to your request, hope it assists you. If you require further clarification please let me know.

1. what arrangements you make to ensure that taxi drivers licensed
by the council do not refuse to carry a passenger who has a
registered assistance dog (you will I hope be aware that this
extends substantially beyond Guide Dogs).

When S 37 of the act came into force on 31st March 2001 this council wrote to all licensed hackney carraige drivers to make them aware of its contents and we also gave them a copy of the DETR guidance leaflet.

This council extended the requirement to private hire drivers in advance of the govt introducing the requirement nationally and we lobbied the govt in this regard as our experience is that most people who rely on assistance dogs prebook private hire vehicles

All new applicants for a drivers licence receive detailed guidance notes which explains their obligations. Questions on the requirements are included in our knowledge test

Myself, as Head of Service has met with the Social Inclusion Working Group to advise them of the requirements of the legislation. This group represents those with who rely on assistance dogs

2. How many instances you are aware of where there have been such
refusals, and the reasons why

Only one , the driver subsequently was granted an exemption certificate

3. How many complaints you have had about this and how you have
dealt with them.

See above

4. How your council meets its obligations in this respect under
Disability Discrimination legislation, to ensure that people with a
registered assistance dog are not refused by taxi drivers.

See above

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