Tips to help guide-dog owners unveiled after scolding incident

Ayra Wang

People are advised to ask questions politely when they see a guide-dog owner lingering or hesitating on the streets, but they should avoid invading the person's privacy, the Equal Opportunities Commission said as it launched a manual to enhance awareness and acceptance of guide dogs and their owners.

The manual provides a range of tips for people in sectors including transport, catering and hotel on how to recognize guide dogs, premises and facilities where guide dogs should be allowed and how to comfort a guide dog and its owner.

It comes following a viral video of a man scolding a visually impaired woman who brought a guide dog on the MTR last month, despite the woman and nearby passengers explaining to him that guide dogs are allowed on trains.

Ferrick Chu Chung-man, the commission's executive director of operations, said the incident showed a lack of knowledge of guide dogs.

"Guide dogs serve as blind people's second pair of eyes, assisting and guiding them to navigate independently, enabling them to participate in various activities," he said.

"However, many people are unaware of the importance of guide dogs for their users and how to respond appropriately."

Chu said there are cases of disrespectful treatment and discrimination against guide dogs and their owners, with the EOC receiving seven reported complaints in the past five years.

But there are other issues. Mark Ma Cheuk-kin, a senior policy, research and training officer, said many guide-dog owners have told him that they were refused service or treated less favorably by taxi drivers, while some charge them extra fare.

"Some guide-dog users said they don't even get the chance to explain as the drivers don't stop when seeing people with guide dogs," Ma said, adding that some owners are also refused at restaurants.

Konnie Chan Koon-har, a guide-dog owner, said she had unhappy experiences when taking her nine-year-old guide dog on the minibus.

"A driver told me the dog was not allowed to get on the minibus and questioned if the dog or I were blind," Chan said. "The driver thought that blind people should wear sunglasses and stare blankly, which is a common stereotype. People are willing to help me, though sometimes they don't really know the appropriate way."

She hopes various sectors make good use of the guide and enhance education of frontline workers.

Its head of policy, research and training, Doris Tsui Ue-ting, said people can identify guide dogs by their harnesses and jackets or vests.

Tsui urged people and frontline workers not to ask guide-dog owners unnecessary private questions and not to feed or coax a guide dog.

The e-version of the manual can be downloaded from the commission's website. The EOC will also hold seminars and distribute leaflets to enhance promotion.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com