taxis and registered assistance dogs - Disability Discrimination

With reference to your request regarding the above the answer to your
questions are as follows:-

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).

A. All operators were contacted and requested to display a notice in
their premises informing divers that if they have any medical
reasons for not taking a Guide Dog in their vehicle, then they would
have to obtain a medical certificate from their doctors, then produce it
at our office and an exemption certificate will be issued, and this will
be displayed on the vehicle windscreen.

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

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

A. Questions 2 & 3 can be answered together.

We have had two complaints, one by telephone, the caller did not state
the reason why they were refused, and did not wish to make a statement
regarding the incident and go to Court if there was a prosecution.

The second complaint was by way of a letter. The reason for being
refused was that the driver had sinus complaint that was aggravated by
animal hairs. He did not have an exemption certificate. The complainant
did make a statement and was willing to go to court. The driver pleaded
guilty in Court and was fined. He later obtained a medical certificate
from his doctor and was issued with the exemption certificate.

Sefton Council's policy on prosecution is to first issue a warning,
then a caution and finally prosecute. But due to the nature of this act
it was decided that any complaint made that was backed up with
statements and the willingness of the complainant to give evidence in
Court, then the Council would prosecute even if it was the first
offence

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