Australia Among Worst For Access: Global Report Reveals Discrimination Against Assistance Dog Handlers

[Image Description: A man wearing a white t-shirt and jeans stands and looks at the camera. Sitting beside him is a yellow dog wearing a yellow harness. The background is dark green, and the floor is light-coloured.]

A new global survey has revealed widespread discrimination against assistance dog handlers, with Australia ranking among the most challenging countries despite having strong disability laws.

The Paws For Access Report, published by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) earlier this month, includes responses from over 1,200 handlers across 24 countries. Many report being refused entry to public transport, restaurants, medical facilities, and other everyday spaces.

Alarmingly, 40 per cent of handlers say they sometimes avoid going out in public due to negative experiences. This number rises to 48 per cent among guide dog users.

Key issues identified include:

• Access refusals in restaurants, taxis, and medical facilities
• Pressure to prove their dogs are legitimate
• The rise of fake or poorly trained service dogs
• Emotional and mental health impacts from discrimination

Despite legal protections, Australia joins the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Russia, and Ireland as countries where access issues are especially common.

See Differently Executive Director, Damian Papps, says the report highlights a clear gap between the laws designed to protect people and actual lived experience.

“These have a real life and emotional impact on those who rely on their guide and assistance dogs to navigate daily life,” Mr Papps says.

“This report unambiguously indicates that not enough is being done by Governments, councils and business who need to take these issues seriously to uphold the rights of assistance dog handlers.”

ADI and IGDF are calling for urgent reforms, including better public education, consistent regulations, improved dog identification, and business training, all aimed at building a more inclusive and respectful environment for assistance dog handlers.

Read the full report here >> https://bit.ly/PawsForAccessReport