Travel charter press release

Press release September 2002

Guide Dogs Launches Travel Charter

Transport operators are being encouraged to open their doors to guide dog owners and sign-up to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association’s Travel Charter.

During this year’s Guide Dog Week (07-13 October), the charity’s ‘Access for All’ campaign will appeal to bus, coach, train, ferry and airline companies, inviting them to not only welcome guide dog owners, but also to ensure their staff are familiar with the needs of visually impaired people.

Guide dog owners continue to experience difficulties in using all forms of transport, 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 practise, others could do more to welcome guide dog owners’ custom. We therefore hope that by signing up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter, transport providers will ensure that their services are accessible and their 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.

Ensuring that guide dog owners can expect reliable travel is not difficult. The Guide Dog Travel Charter offers practical tips and advice on how to ensure that all guide dog owners receive a warm welcome and good service.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind recently launched its appeal to make public transport accessible and to improve safety for blind and partially sighted travellers. Together with the support of the travel and transport industry, Guide Dogs is making this possible.