As South Australians prepare for the busy festive and summer seasons, the community is called on to be more socially aware in public places and consider the needs of people with disability.

South Australian business operators, transport and other service providers are also reminded of their legal obligation to ensure customers with low vision or blindness and their assistance dogs, have the same rights to access venues and services as the wider community.

Minister for Human Services Nat Cook, Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO Aaron Chia and SA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Jodeen Carney remind us that with more people out and about this time of year, those with low vision or blindness face additional challenges.

The Commissioner has written to transport providers advising of reports to her office of discrimination on the basis of disability, with some customers and their guide or assistance dogs being refused service.

It’s unlawful to discriminate against people who are vision impaired and those with guide or assistance dogs. Penalties apply and range from $1250 to $2500.

Challenges for a vision impaired person include: others distracted by their phones who may be unaware of people with guide or assistance dogs or walking aids; thoughtlessly placed obstacles such as e-scooters, shopping bags, backpacks, footpath furniture, prams and business signage.

Being more socially aware will reduce the risk of walking into the path of a person with low vision or blindness or struggling with mobility and will remove trip hazards from public areas.

Quotes

Attributable to Nat Cook

We still receive reports that vision impaired customers and others with blindness who need the support of an assistance dog are being refused service by some transport providers.

In other cases, vulnerable customers are being refused entry to venues including hospitality of retail outlets. It’s not ok. It’s not acceptable and it’s not the way to achieve a more inclusive South Australia.

With increased foot traffic in shopping and entertainment precincts in the lead up to Christmas, now is a good time to remind people to look up, keep an eye out for others and be socially aware.

Attributable to Guide Dogs SA/NT CEO Aaron Chia

We know people are occasionally refused rides when in need, and those living with low vision or blindness are among our most vulnerable. This is unacceptable, and we hope this won’t happen over the festive season and beyond.

Sometimes we find that rideshare drivers are unaware of the legislated requirements to transport certified guide dogs and assistance dogs. We also know that it can be difficult for people to hail a bus when they can’t see it coming, or when they can’t read the number approaching.

If we could remind the transport operators of their legislative requirements and the general community to be aware of people with low vision or blindness and their additional needs, we can make life easier for everyone.

Attributable to Equal Opportunity Commissioner Jodeen Carney

This is a time of year which all of us like to celebrate. Being able to get around with friends to venues is more difficult for some including those with vision impairment.

It’s important to remind transport providers and other services of their legal obligations and I recently wrote to transport providers to raise the issue after receiving complaints and allegations of service being denied on the basis of disability.

Many people don’t want to make a formal complaint but want to talk about their experience, while others make complaints to my office about discriminatory conduct.

CASE STUDY
Alan Belton who lives with visual and hearing impairments and has an intellectual disability, was recently refused two taxi trips in one day. He has no other transport options to take him to his appointments with his Guide Dog Viva. The refusal left him frightened, at risk and unable to advocate for himself.