Guide Dog And Owner Turned Away From Oxford Restaurant
A blind student was left feeling “shaken and excluded” after a restaurant said it would not allow them and their guide dog to eat inside.
Kelsey Trevett, 20, visited Ramen Kulture in Oxford with their guide dog Lacey and a friend on Wednesday.
They said a member of staff refused to let them inside, despite acknowledging they were legally obliged to.
The restaurant has apologised and said it has taken action to ensure it does not happen again.
Under the Equality Act in England, Scotland and Wales, guide dogs and other assistance dog owners are legally allowed to enter most services, premises and vehicles.
Kelsey, a student at Trinity College, Oxford, said incidents like it had been “frustrating” and “incredibly distressing in the moment”.
In a tweet, they wrote: “To be unaware of the law is one thing: whilst awareness should be better, progress takes time.
“But to have the manager acknowledge the law, and still argue that he wasn’t prepared to follow it, just added an extra layer to this discriminatory behaviour.”
In a statement posted on Instagram, Ramen Kulture thanked Kelsey for informing them of their legal obligations.
“We now have had a meeting with all staff in regards to the rules and guidelines information of access to food premises with guide dogs owners and we have established the information provided from the publication,” they said.
Same Difference 
This is very disturbing, it would have been bad enough if it was done through ignorance as the Equality Act 2010 has been in force for 12 years. But, in this instance the manager knew the law and still refused entry.
But, it appears the actions taken against persons and organisation who refuse to obey the Act is a fine and compensation, which can be very extensive as there is no limitation, but that could possibly be covered by liability insurance. Surely a custodial sentence be also a consideration.
People and organisations should not be allowed to escape prosecution and should be made to suffer for the person being discriminated against will be suffering due to the discrimination, for a very long time, maybe for life.
All forms of discrimination need to be countered and people to be shown that they will be severely punished for failing to abide by discrimination legislation.