MOBILITY MATTERS
READING PH DRIVERS PASS THE TEST IN PURCHASING EXERCISE WITH GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND
Reading BC licensing officers recently partnered with The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association for a special test purchasing exercise. Their goal was to ensure that their taxi and private hire drivers comply with non-discrimination regulat- ions, especially regarding passen- gers travelling with their assist- ance dogs. Every private hire vehicle should be able and willing to carry disabled passengers. This includes a legal responsibility for drivers to carry assistance dogs without charging
extra when travelling with their disabled owner. During this exercise, they conducted seven test purchases. They booked multiple taxi trips in advance, with a volunteer from Guide Dogs UK posing as a passenger with their guide dog. This allowed them to identify any PHVs refusing access to passen- gers with guide dogs. Out of the seven vehicles tested, six were licensed by Reading BC, and one was licensed by neighbouring authority.
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All six Reading BC vehicles passed the test, although there was one area of non-compliance noted. Unfortunately, the out-of-area vehicle failed the exercise. Since then, penalty points and warning letters have been issued to non-compliant drivers, and an investigation is ongoing into the out-of-area driver. Reading council confirms they will continue their partnership with Guide Dogs UK, distributing more information about the importance of this legislation to PH operators.
NOTTINGHAM MAN “FEELS ABANDONED” AS DRIVERS REFUSE HIS SUPPORT DOG
A Nottingham man is claiming discrimination after a taxi driver refused to let him travel with his emotional support dog. Lucio Valentino,
from Sneinton,
says he has been left feeling “abandoned” by cabbies’ refusals. Mr Valentino relies on his six-year- old Border Collie, Pixel, to help manage his mental health con- ditions, including depression and personality disorders. However, he has faced repeated refusals from taxi drivers due to the presence of Pixel. Pixel is registered with the ESA UK (Emotional Support Animals) charity, which provides an ID card indicating that a pet is registered for emotional support, but is not affiliated with the government. According to ESA UK, Emotional Support Animals are prescribed by licensed therapists, psychologists, doctors (GPs), and other medical
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professionals who understand their “profound impact,” and are an “integral part of an individual’s comprehensive treatment pro- gramme.” Their purpose is to “provide solace and alleviate the negative symptoms associated with emotional or psychological disabilities,” the charity adds. Emotional support dogs do not have the same legal rights as service and assistance dogs, such as guide dogs for blind people, which are protected under the Equality Act 2010. A taxi which refuses an assistance or service dog could be breaking the law, but is not breaking any law for refusing an emotional support dog. However, service providers are required to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and it may be hard to argue against allowing an emotional support dog when service and
assistance dogs are covered. This latest incident occurred on August 2, when a driver from DG Cars initially refused to allow Mr Valentino and Pixel into the vehicle, despite being shown the ESA UK ID card. Only after a lengthy argument did the driver relent. A spokesperson for DG Cars said: “In accordance with company policy and UK law, it is mandatory to
accommodate guide and
assistance dogs. Compliance with this policy is essential for ensuring the highest level of service and support for all passengers. “Please be advised that failure to adhere to this policy will result in strict disciplinary actions, which may include suspension of driving privileges, as outlined in our regul- ations. If any passenger brings such issues to our attention, we ensure resolutions are promptly offered and the appropriate action taken.”
SEPTEMBER 2024 PHTM
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