Rights & Legal Information
Information About the Rights of Guide Dog Handlers Wherever They Travel and Live
"Before Buddy lay down her pioneering harness, I would like to be able to say that she had made it possible for all guide dogs following her to travel by land and sea and air to lead their blind charges wherever in this wide, wide country they cared or needed to go."
-- Morris Frank
Through the efforts of Seeing Eye co-founder Morris Frank and other early graduates of our program, The Seeing Eye was instrumental in gaining access to public places, ground transportation, and air travel for people who work with guide dogs.
Today, federal and state laws guarantee the rights of people who are blind to be accompanied by their guide dogs in all aspects of life, but it’s not always as simple as it seems. If you are a guide dog handler with questions about your rights and responsibilities, or if you are someone who may not be sure what to do when you encounter a guide dog team, these pages are for you.
- Public Access — guide dogs in public spaces and places of business, including food establishments, lodging, health care facilities, and recreational settings.
- Housing — rental units, condo/home owners associations, assisted living, shelters and campus housing
- Employment — information for employees and employers about guide dogs in the workplace
- Ground Transportation — taxicabs, rideshare services, shuttle services, buses, Amtrak, commuter rails and other transit services
- Airlines & Cruise Ships — information about airline regulations, checkpoint security, and cruises
- International Travel — important steps to take before traveling overseas
- Dog Attacks — state laws and information for the general public, legislators, police and animal control about interference with guide dog teams
- Pedestrian Safety — safe mobility for pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired
- Emergency Preparedness — how to include guide dog teams in emergency preparedness plans
- Educational Institutions — learn about the laws that protect guide dog handlers
- Guide Dog at Work -- learn about what pet owners can do to help keep guide dog teams safe
