Successful campaigns

Microchipping in England and Northern Ireland

In April 2012, Guide Dogs welcomed the Government’s proposals for the compulsory microchipping of dogs in England but we are calling for them to go further

The Government's announcement is a real step forward for Guide Dogs' microchipping campaign, and is due in no small measure to the pressure campaigners helped create by writing to their MPs in recent months. Thank you!

We also welcomed the introduction of compulsory microchipping for dogs in Northern Ireland from 9 April 2012.

Talking Buses

In March 2012 Guide Dogs' Campaigns Team celebrated news that more than 1,000 extra buses are due to become Talking Buses after the winning bids for a Government grant were announced.

The team wrote to bus operators and local councils across England, encouraging them to apply for the Department for Transport's £50million Better Bus Areas fund. One of the things that bus operators could apply to use the money for was improving the way passengers get information about their journey - including installing audio-visual systems on buses. Guide Dogs is campaigning for audio-visual announcements on all buses through its Talking Buses campaign.

Exhibition Road

In 2011 we secured numerous alterations to the original proposals for Exhibition Road in West London, and we continue to press for the installation of a pedestrian-controlled crossing.

London Underground Escalators

After a long running campaign, guide dog owners with trained dogs are now able to use moving escalators on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground due to a byelaw change from Wednesday, 5 October 2011.

Access for all

Guide Dogs launched the 'Access for All' campaign in 2000 to ensure that guide dog owners receive the same treatment as everyone else and lead the fullest and most independent lives possible. We have worked closely with guide dog owners, companies and MPs and together we have won major victories.

Fireworks

Success! Over 130,000 people signed our fireworks petition before it was handed in to 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister's attention. And it seems to have had the desired effect! The Fireworks Act has become law and this gives the Government the power to regulate all aspects of the sale, use and noise levels of fireworks.

Re-think rehab

Despite the extra money spent on health and social care in recent years, many blind and partially-sighted people still face social exclusion due to under-investment in rehabilitation services. Guide Dogs' Re-think Rehab campaign aims to raise awareness of this injustice and encourage the government to provide increased investment in rehabilitation services.

Safer Streets

Over one million blind and partially-sighted people risk serious injury every time they walk in pedestrian areas. To address this, Guide Dogs launched an A-Z Guide to Street Obstacles and survey.