Assistance Dogs Legal Rights in the UK

Legal Rights for Assistance Dogs

Many People and Businesses Are Not Aware That It Is Illegal To Discriminate Against A Disabled Individual, Including Their Aids Such As An Assistance Dog.

Protecting Accessibility Rights

The Equality Act 2010 safeguards the rights of people with disabilities, ensuring they have the same access to public spaces, transportation, and services as everyone else. This includes the right to be accompanied by their highly trained assistance dog, regardless of whether they were owner-trained or obtained through an accredited organisation.

Empowering Invisible Disabilities

Assistance dogs play a vital role in improving the quality of life for individuals living with a wide range of invisible conditions, such as depression, PTSD, autism, and bipolar disorder. These highly trained companions provide invaluable support, from offering a calming presence in crowded environments to performing specialised tasks tailored to specific needs.

Educating Businesses and Service Providers

Many businesses and service providers are unaware of the legal rights surrounding assistance dogs and lack the knowledge they need to understand and respect the important role that an assistance dog plays in peoples lives, ensuring everyone an access the world without discrimination. There is no government register for Assistance Dogs and there is no legal obligation to show evidence to support an assistance dog accompanying a person.

It would be very helpful if UK businesses understood the rights of people accompanied by an Assistance Dogs

Here's a link to ADUK resources to help businesses and service providers understand the legal rights of assistance dog partnerships.