Mum 'glad' taxi drivers fined for guide dog refusal

A woman said she was "glad" that two taxi drivers have been fined after refusing to transport her with her guide dog.

Milton Keynes Council said the private hire drivers were fined a combined total of £1,878 under the Equality Act, "after refusing to collect passengers travelling with assistance dogs".

Hannah Burgess, 28, said she had experienced the problem "more times than I could count" in the 15 years that she has had a guide dog.

"The actual discrimination is one thing, but feeling that you're having to justify yourself and prove you're in the right – it ends up getting to you," she said.

Ms Burgess, who was born with albinism, describes her vision as "blurry and distorted" and believes that, aged 13, she was the youngest person in the UK to get a guide dog.

She submitted evidence to Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court, which heard the cases in December.

"In this particular scenario, the taxi driver didn't pick me up, which meant I couldn't collect my children from school on time," she told the BBC.

Ms Burgess has encountered various responses and excuses from taxi drivers who did not want to take her guide dog.

"Sometimes I get a driver who says they won't take the dog, then I explain it's against the law and they let me in – for a very awkward drive.

"Other times they argue with me or say nothing at all and just drive off," she said.

"A lot of drivers tell me they're allergic, which they probably aren't - because if they were, they could get a certificate to exempt them by law and I've never had anyone who's had one of those.

"Some drivers think dogs will make a mess in their car, or it's down to a fear of dogs," she added.

The only exception to the law requiring drivers to take assistance dogs is if they have a council exemption certificate due to a medical condition.

Drivers found to have broken the law can face a fine or lose their taxi licence.

Ms Burgess said the response on social media had been divided, with some people thanking her for campaigning and others "siding with the taxi driver".

"I am glad - not smug, but I am over the moon to know discrimination is being taken seriously.

"The repercussions of it are a lot greater than I think people realise.

"Any case of discrimination that gets taken further and people see the repercussions of that is always a positive thing," Ms Burgess added.

Clive Wood, policy and campaigns manager at Guide Dogs, said the problem was widespread.

"Unfortunately, it's too common - and it's not getting any better," he said.

"A lot of people with sight loss rely on taxis to get around. The more it happens, the more your confidence is chipped away.

"It's always at the back of your mind when you go out, wondering 'Am I going to be refused access, to be treated poorly?'"

"There are thousands of taxi drivers out there who do a great job and are very supportive, but unfortunately it's the minority," he added.

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