Jonathan Edwards MP has pledged his support to all people living with vision impairment through Guide Dogs’ Open Doors campaign.

At a parliamentary event hosted by the charity Guide Dogs, the MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr met guide dog owners about their experiences of being turned away because they had their guide dog with them.

Recent research conducted by Guide Dogs found that 81 per cent of guide dog owners have been refused access to a restaurant, shop, or taxi at some point because they were with their dog.

And of these people, almost three in four (73 per cent) said they experienced an access refusal at least once in the past 12 months.

These refusals have a significant negative impact on the confidence, independence and wellbeing of people who have guide dogs.

Guide Dogs’ launched their Open Doors campaign aims to raise awareness of the rights assistance dog owners have, and the need for better enforcement and clearer laws.

Mr Edwards said: “It was a pleasure to attend the Guide Dogs parliamentary event and show my support to the Open Doors campaign.

The charity does a great job in helping the two million people living with sight loss live the life they choose to live.

“Promoting independence is an important part of this and raising awareness of the barriers faced by those dependent on guide dogs in their daily lives.

“I thank the charity for their work and hope that access will improve following this campaign.”  

Chris Theobald, senior policy, public affairs and campaigns manager at Guide Dogs said: “Guide dog owners have the right to live their lives the way they want and feel confident, independent, and supported in the world.

“The law is clear, and yet guide dog owners continue to experience access refusals, which are almost always illegal.

“That’s why we’re working to make sure everyone knows that guide dog owners have the right to access businesses and services with their guide dogs.

“We also want to see the law strengthened on access rights for assistance dogs, to prevent access refusals and to open doors for guide dogs.”