Restaurant apologizes after kicking out visually impaired customer with guide dog

A Japanese restaurant in Kwun Tong has apologized after they were under fire for its staff refusing to cater to a visually impaired customer because she had a guide dog.

The Hong Kong Blind Union wrote on their Facebook page that the visually impaired customer Wing Man, along with her guide dog, arrived at the Kwun Tong restaurant during lunch hour yesterday.

After she and her colleagues were seated and ordered their food, a staffer came over and ask them to leave as pets are not allowed in the eatery.

Even after clarifying with the staff that Hong Kong laws allow guide dogs to accompany their handlers in restaurants, of which Wing Man requires her guide dog Delta to be her eyes, the staff still insists they must leave and said the restaurant will cancel their order.

Wing Man later reported the incident to the union, which later contacted the restaurant.

The owner of the restaurant apologized on behalf of the staff, explaining that the staff lacked training and awareness of laws permitting guide dogs in eateries.

Under Hong Kong law, anyone who bars guide dogs from entering public places including supermarkets, public transportation and restaurants risk violating the Disability Discrimination Ordinance.

While the Food Business Regulation states that dogs cannot be brought onto food premises, an exemption is made for dogs serving as a guide for a totally or partially blind person.

The union reminded restaurant owners to take note that managers and frontline staff alike should know that people with visual impairment can bring their guide dogs into restaurants.

“What our society need is a more friendly and harmonious environment,” the union wrote.