To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to address the issue of taxi drivers and local service owners denying access to guide and hearing dog owners; and whether his Department will bring forward legislative proposals to make disability equality training mandatory to ensure the Equality Act 2010 is followed by taxi drivers and local service owners.
Answered on
11 March 2019
On the 12th February the Government responded to the report of the chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and PHV licensing, confirming its support for mandating disability awareness training for taxi and PHV drivers as part of National Minimum Standards, and committing to bringing forward legislation when Parliamentary time allows.
For the majority of the protections provided by the Equality Act 2010 it is for the individual who believes they have been discriminated against to personally seek advice or redress by bringing the case to court. Individuals may wish to begin this process by contacting the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) which provides free bespoke advice and in-depth support to individuals with discrimination concerns.