Explainer Video: Transit Accessibility
At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we advocate for the policy reforms that change how the world views blindness and disability. Because when everyone is empowered to participate, our communities are stronger.
Access to public transportation and rideshare services is a right for people who travel with a guide dog. That right is protected under federal and regional laws in both the United States and Canada. This video offers tips to help make access to transit a good experience for everyone.
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An animated video about public transportation.
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At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we know that when everyone can move through the world safely and confidently, and live the life they want to live, our communities are stronger.
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At a market, a person with a guide dog and one with a cane.
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And part of getting around safely and confidently means using public transportation.
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A person with a guide dog stands at a bus stop
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People who are blind or visually impaired can legally bring their guide dogs anywhere the general public is allowed.
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People with dogs at a diner and in a taxi.
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Here are a few tips for making sure everyone has a good experience.
First, treat a person who’s blind with the same respect and dignity as you would anyone else.
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A bus driver as a person and guide dog board.
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Use a normal tone of voice. And we know their guide dog is cute… but please talk directly to the person, not their dog.
Next, remember that guide dogs aren’t pets. They’re highly trained and well-behaved service animals. They sit on the floor of cars and buses, not up on the seats.
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On a bus, a guide dog sits between the handler’s legs
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If you’re picking someone up in a taxi or ride share, verbally identify yourself.
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A driver calls out to a person with a guide dog.
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And it’s required by law that transit agencies and operators announce all routes and stops
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At a bus stop, a driver calls out the route.
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Ask if someone needs assistance before offering it, and avoid physically steering a person who’s blind. That goes for guide dogs, too.
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“No” symbols over images of unwanted assistance.
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It’s a bit like someone grabbing your steering wheel while you’re driving.
Clear verbal directions are helpful,
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Two speech bubbles appear.
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...like “the seat to your right is open,” or “3 steps up, straight ahead,” rather than “there’s a seat over there,” or “It’s that way.”
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Two more. The latter two with international “No” symbols.
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Guide Dogs are hard at work when you see them out in public, So please don’t pet them.
For more information and helpful tips, visit guidedogs.com.
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A person scratches their head standing next to a guide dog.
Above the dog, a thought bubble says the GDB URL: guidedogs.com