Guide Dogs WA has launched a positive new public access rights campaign, Guide & Assistance Dogs Are Always Welcome.
We are asking Western Australians to learn more about: how to interact with Guide & Assistance Dogs and their handlers, how to identify Guide & Assistance Dogs, and how to welcome Guide & Assistance Dogs into their venues, restaurants and rideshares with open hearts (no hugs while they’re working please).
A recent survey by Guide Dogs Australia indicated that over a third of Guide & Assistance Dog Users were refused entry to a public venue or rideshare in the past year alone.
How does being refused entry affect a Guide or Assistance Dog Handler?
Guide and Assistance Dogs are matched with people living with no or low vision, disability or illness. Being refused entry into a venue or rideshare may result in a Guide or Assistance Dog handler feeling: embarrassed, humiliated, frustrated, scared, isolated, unsafe, confused, angry and hesitant to leave their home in future.
This is the opposite of the independence, confidence, inclusion and safety that having a Guide or Assistance Dog is meant to provide. We must work together as a community to make certain that people using Guide & Assistance Dogs Are Always Welcome.
Free Resources
We can all do our part to show that Guide & Assistance Dogs Are Always Welcome. Please share the message on social media, download and display these free posters, stickers or email signatures in your workplace or public venue. Do what you can to help us spread the word to all Western Australians.
Social Media Content
Welcome on the Ferry
Click to download the Welcome on the Ferry social media tile
Can you spot the difference?
Welcome on the Train
Click to download the Welcome on the Train social media tile
Can I pat them? Black puppy
Click to download the Can I pat them? black puppy social media tile
A4 posters
Identify Guide & Assistance Dogs
Click to download How to Identify Guide & Assistance Dogs A4 poster
Guide Dog Etiquette
Access Rights
Email signature
Change your email signature at your workplace, to show that Guide & Assistance Dogs Are Welcome
Always Welcome (alternative)
Click to download Guide & Assistance Dogs Are Always Welcome alternative email image
Stickers
Proudly show your support on your business, venue, restaurant or rideshare. Complete the form below and we’ll send you a high quality, 150mm x 150mm outdoor sticker to display in the entrance of your venue, workplace or rideshare (one per business/venue/rideshare).