The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) held a press conference today (9 May 2024) to announce the release of a new Guide Dogs: A Practical Guide (the “Guide”), which serves to enhance public awareness and foster greater acceptance of guide dog users and guide dogs. In compiling the Guide, the EOC has taken reference of the legal protection for guide dogs in other jurisdictions and relevant local information, as well as consulted local organisations offering guide dog services, people with visual impairment and related organisations. The Guide not only covers the definition and identification methods of guide dogs, but also showcases positive and negative encounters of guide dog users. In addition, the Guide provides practical tips for stakeholders in different sectors, including transport, restaurants and hotels, managers of premises and employers, with a view to protecting the rights of guide dog users in various public domains.

Ms Linda LAM Mei-sau, Chairperson of the EOC said, “As a statutory body tasked with implementing the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO) and other anti-discrimination ordinances, the EOC is very concerned about the wellbeing of people with disabilities (PWDs). The EOC has been advocating for and supporting different sectors of society to take appropriate measures and eliminate the barriers faced by PWDs in their daily lives, thereby enabling them to live independently and enjoy equal participation in all aspects of life. Following the release of the ‘How to Support Persons with Disabilities: Practical Guide on Universal Design for Catering Services’ guidelines in October 2023, the EOC launches this practical guide specifically catered for the daily needs of people with visual impairment, providing practical tips for various sectors to support guide dog users.”

Ms Lam further said, “What prompted the EOC to produce this Guide is that various guide dog users have expressed that they encountered discrimination and unfriendly treatment when using guide dogs. There is also a lack of understanding among service providers regarding the rights of PWDs in using guide dogs. The EOC would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all the organisations and people that had provided assistance and valuable input to the Guide. We hope that this Guide can assist different sectors in providing appropriate accommodation for guide dog users, and enhance public awareness and acceptance of guide dog users and guide dogs, such that we can create a more inclusive and friendly society for guide dog users in Hong Kong.”

At the press conference today, Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man, Executive Director (Operations) and Ms Doris TSUI Ue-ting, Head (Policy, Research and Training) of the EOC introduced the content of the Guide. Dr Chu said, “In developing the Guide, the EOC conducted in-depth interviews with guide dog users to solicit their views on using guide dogs in various public domains and their suggestions for improving support. All interviewees expressed that they became more independent and confident of going out when using their guide dogs. In fact, guide dogs serve as blind people’s second pair of eyes, assisting and guiding them to navigate independently, enabling their participation in various community activities. Although many service providers offer support to guide dog users, there are still some who discriminate against or treat guide dog users disrespectfully. Examples of such behaviour include taxi drivers refusing service or charging extra fees, and restaurants refusing entry of guide dogs.”

“While there is no express provision in the DDO to prohibit discrimination against people with guide dogs, it is potentially unlawful under the ordinance to discriminate against a PWD by refusing him or her access to a premise; in the terms or conditions on which a person is prepared to allow that other person access to, or the use of a premise; or in the provision of means of access to a premise. Therefore, it may be unlawful under the DDO to discriminate against blind people or PWDs with guide dogs by refusing them access to public premises, or refusing to provide them with goods, services and facilities,” explained Dr Chu.                  

The Guide provides a range of practical tips for stakeholders in various public domains, including allowing guide dog users and their guide dogs to enter facilities, premises, and transport vehicles; posting notices or stickers in conspicuous places to clearly indicate that guide dog users and their guide dogs are allowed for entry; providing reasonable accommodations to guide dog users, such as reserving sufficient space for the guide dogs to rest next to their users; avoiding imposing extra fees on guide dog users because they are accompanied by their guide dogs; providing comprehensive training to staff to raise their awareness of guide dogs; and allowing puppy raisers, boarders or trainers to bring their guide dog puppies or guide dogs in training into different facilities, premises and transport vehicles for training.

The Guide has been uploaded to the EOC website for stakeholders in various public domains and members of the public to download.

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Equal Opportunities Commission
9 May 2024

The EOC released a new guide Guide Dogs: A Practical Guide today (9 May 2024). Dr Ferrick CHU Chung-man, Executive Director (Operations) (second from left); Ms Doris TSUI Ue-ting, Head (Policy, Research and Training) (second from right); and Mr Mark MA Cheuk-kin, Senior Policy, Research & Training Officer of the EOC (first from left) introduce the content of the guide at the press conference. Ms Koonie CHAN Koon-har, a guide dog user (first from right), joins the press conference to share her encounters when using guide dogs.