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Guide
dogs help to launch ‘access for all’ campaign
GUIDE
DOGS and two other assistance dogs charities will launch a campaign
encouraging ‘Access for All’ at London Marylebone
station on Monday 7th October.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association will team up with Chiltern
Railways to launch its Travel Charter, supported by Dogs for
the Disabled and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The charity will
also reveal results from a survey of guide dog owners who use
public transport, highlighting common travel concerns.
Chiltern Railways is one of the first train companies to accept
the Guide Dogs Travel Charter, which invites transport operators
to not only welcome guide (and other assistance) dog owners,
but also to ensure their staff are familiar with the needs of
visually impaired people.
Policy
A giant Golden Railcard will be the ticket-to-ride as guide
and assistance dog owners are shown the latest disability friendly
features aboard one of Chiltern Railways’ newest trains.
Guide Dogs’ head of policy, Tom Pey will present the train
company with a framed certificate, acknowledging its commitment
to the Guide Dogs Travel Charter.
Guide and assistance dog owners continue to experience difficulties
when travelling, despite a growing realisation amongst operators
that offering adequate access to disabled people makes not only
ethical, but also commercial good sense.
Geraldine Peacock, chief executive of Guide Dogs, explains:
‘Like the guide dog, accessible public transport provides
mobility and independence. Whilst the majority of operators
demonstrate good practice, others could do more to welcome guide
dog owners’ custom.
‘We are extremely grateful to Chiltern Railways for hosting
this event and hope the publicity will encourage other transport
providers to ensure that their services are accessible and staff
understand the needs of visually impaired travellers.’
Guide dog owners and their guide dogs undergo extensive training
to prepare them for travel on public transport. They are taught
a different procedure for each method of transport and are advised
not to use a particular mode of transport until they are given
appropriate instruction.
Cath Proctor, sales and marketing director at Chiltern Railways,
said: ‘Chiltern Railways is totally committed to providing
a safe, reliable and convenient train journey to all passengers,
and this includes the provision of appropriate facilities to
people with disabilities. The Travel Charter launched today
has our full support. We look forward to working with organisations
like Guide Dogs to ensure our trains and our staff training
continue to meet the needs of everybody who travels with us.’
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