Guide Dogs NSW/ACT take puppies in training to NSW Parliament House.

The event launched new resources to help people with low vision or blindness advocate for their rights.

Guide Dog handlers addressed State Ministers, MPs and Sydney business owners in the Speakers Garden about the current barriers they face to accessibility, and the need for greater societal acceptance of Guide Dogs. 

The Guide Dogs NSW/ACT’s self-advocacy toolkit offers straightforward, accessible information about the legal right to enter hospitality venues in NSW with a Guide Dog, along with clear steps to take if access is refused. It outlines key laws, the responsibilities of both Guide Dog handlers and businesses, and provides contact details for reporting discrimination or lodging complaints.

The toolkit outlines:

  • The legal right to access public places with a Guide Dog under NSW and Commonwealth law.
  • The responsibilities of both Guide Dog handlers and business operators.
  • Step-by-step advice for self-advocacy.
  • How to report discrimination or lodge a complaint.

The event also celebrated the success of the Access Means Business initiative, which continues to work with local businesses to build awareness and confidence in creating accessible spaces, as well as the launch of SeeWay, a free national service designed specifically for Australians experiencing permanent changes in their vision.

Guide Dog’s handler and lived experience presenter, Alan Edwards said when he started getting out and about with a Guide Dog he was delighted at how much easier it was to be involved in life. “I was also confronted by some people unfairly and illegally restricting access and it was and remains challenging to stand up to this,” he said. 

“The toolkit gives people practical tools to confidently advocate for themselves and for inclusive practices. I hope that through toolkits like this access will be seen as not just a legal right, but the right thing to do. It’s a lot simpler than people think.”

Resources and more information for businesses committed to inclusion are available at: nsw.guidedogs.com.au/accessibility/accessibility-services-for-businesses

Photo: Alan Edwards