A 2010 Guide Dogs NSW/ACT survey has found that almost 30 per cent of people who use a Guide Dog have been refused entry to a restaurant in the past year.
"The law states that people using a Guide Dog in a harness are allowed to enter all public places including restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs," said Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan.
Despite this, the survey also found that 34 per cent of Guide Dog users had experienced unfair treatment in a restaurant or cafe in the past 12 months.
"People with impaired vision have as much right as you and I do to enjoy a lunch with friends or a special dinner on a night out and that means their dog comes along too - whether that's at your local cheap and cheerful or a fine dining restaurant," Whan said.
In order to combat the survey's findings, the NSW Food Authority has developed an Action Plan with councils, encouraging their Environmental Health Officers to discuss the matter with restaurateurs and cafe owners as part of their regular foodservice inspections.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has a public education campaign called 'Guide Dogs Welcome Here' that was launched last year to reminding NSW restaurateurs and cafe owners of their legal obligations. The campaign calls on restaurateurs to place a sticker in their window to help show their support and reverse discrimination.
