 |
answer text |
<p>The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on employers and service providers to make
reasonable adjustments to improve disabled people’s access to goods and services so
they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people.
In the case of service providers this reasonable adjustment duty is an anticipatory
duty therefore those who provide goods, facilities and services to members of the
public are expected to anticipate the reasonable adjustments that disabled customers
may require, including auxiliary aids.</p><p>In recent years, case law has strengthened
the equalities law for people with assistance dogs. There have been a number of significant
cases brought under the Equality Act involving assistance dogs, which have been successfully
litigated, for example, <em>Bloch v Kassim</em> (assistance dogs in taxis); <em>Clutton
and Williams v Pen</em>-<em>y</em>-<em>Bryn Group (assistance dogs in restaurants);
and McCafferty v Miah (assistance dogs in shops).</em></p><p>The Equality Advisory
Support Service (EASS), the equalities and human rights helpline, receives about 35,000
customer contacts a year, more than 60% of which concern disability issues. The EASS
intervenes directly with or assists the complainant to take the problem up with the
relevant service provider in many cases, including those involving assistance dogs.</p><p>
</p>
|
|
