News
Legislative Changes to Prevent Discrimination
Guide Dogs SA has welcomed the state government’s amendments to the Community Titles Act 1996 and Strata Titles Act 1988 which come into force today (October 28).
The amendments stop building regulations from preventing or restricting access to a person with an assistance or therapeutic animal such as a registered Guide Dog.
The amendments close a loophole in the law, which previously prevented people with a Guide Dog from living in or even visiting a particular apartment building, group of units or office block.
Guide Dogs SA Chief Executive Officer, Kate Thiele, said these changes ensure a person with a registered Guide Dog or Assistance Dog have the same legal access rights as everyone else.
“Their legal access rights under these Acts are now in line with their rights to visit restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops or use public transport, said Ms Thiele.
“Discrimination is unacceptable and people must continue to be protected under the law.”
Guide Dogs SA recently launched a campaign called Guide Dogs Can Go Anywhere to increase community awareness of the legal access rights of people accompanied by a registered Guide Dog. For more information on the Guide Dogs Can Go Anywhere campaign, watch our YouTube Video here.
