Forum: More being done to educate public about access for guide dogs
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We thank Mr Muhammad Dzul Azhan Sahban for highlighting the need for greater awareness of guide dogs and assistance dogs that support persons with disabilities ( More public awareness about guide dogs needed
In June, the Ministry of Social and Family Development announced that public access for assistance dogs supporting individuals who are physically disabled, deaf or hard-of-hearing will be the same as that of guide dogs today.
This includes access to public housing, public transport and licensed food establishments.
In addition to government efforts to expand public access for assistance dogs, greater public awareness is needed to shape societal attitudes and encourage positive actions towards greater inclusivity.
Guide Dogs Singapore and K9Assistance advocate greater access for guide dogs, assistance dogs and their users.
Besides training the users of guide dogs and assistance dogs, they conduct outreach talks and training in schools, companies and government agencies to foster a greater understanding of these guide dogs, assistance dogs, and their users’ unique needs.
One of the daily challenges that persons with disabilities and their guide dogs and assistance dogs face is being turned away from dining at food establishments.
As the focal agency for disability and inclusion, SG Enable works with Singapore Food Agency and Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) to advise food establishment operators on this.
The Enabling Academy by SG Enable also conducts workshops on inclusive customer service to teach service staff to accommodate guide dog users while respecting the concerns of other diners.
Muis is also expanding its efforts to educate the Muslim community about better access for persons with disabilities with their guide dogs and assistance dogs in public spaces, including halal-certified establishments.
We hope more members of the public like Mr Muhammad Dzul can advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities as all of us work towards creating a more inclusive society that values their dignity and independence and respecting different needs.
Vanessa Loh
General Manager
Guide Dogs Singapore
Cassandra Chiu
Executive Director
K9Assistance
Lee May Gee
Deputy Chief Executive
SG Enable
