Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said today that it has put forward a number of proposals following a number of incidents involving blind persons using guide dogs and being denied access to public transport and catering establishments,

Dr Claire Azzopardi Lane, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on Disability and Sports, said: ‘Guide dogs are an important mobility tool for blind persons and denying access is illegal. Reports of guide dog users being denied access to public transport and restaurants is unacceptable. From information gathered it results that Transport Malta is taking all the necessary action needed to address this situation.”

She added, “whilst praising Transport Malta for its prompt action, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party calls upon the government to give this issue its deserved importance during the public transport tendering process. Apart from having drivers well informed about their responsibilities in question, AD suggests that a clause should be included in the contract where not only will the service provider be obliged to cater for these persons’ needs but will also be penalised following any infringements.”

Simon Galea, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on Animal Welfare and Agriculture said, “AD also calls upon the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association to take note of reported incidents concerning some of its members. Although these are isolated cases it is important for these incidents not to repeat themselves. Hence we call upon MHRA to inform its members of their legal obligations accordingly.

“AD strongly believes in the right of each and every person for independent living. Guide dogs are very important tools in this regard and it is the responsibility of each and every one of us to facilitate such use,” Simon Galea concluded.

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