Sharonlea resident and Member of Parliament works on a bill about assistance animals
Wendy Alexander does this to promote the rights of those with disabilities.
Sharonlea resident and Member of Parliament Wendy Alexander has been working on a private member’s bill around public access for assistance animals. She even brought a number of pups in training from the Guide Dogs Association (GDA) of South Africa through to the Parliamentary Buildings as a training exercise and to raise awareness about the bill.
“This bill aims to promote equality for persons with disabilities who use assistance dogs for personal assistance,” the former Ward 134 councillor said. “Through the passage of this bill, persons with disabilities using assistance dogs will be able to gain access to public facilities and services without being hindered by barriers.”
She said an assistance dog can provide vital assistance to a person with disabilities, and also increase their confidence greatly.
“In the Equality Court judgment of SA Guide-Dog Association for the Blind and Amanda Bester versus The Department of Home Affairs and the Western Cape Department of Home Affairs Case EC 16/2018 (unreported), the Court held that the denial of access to the applicant, Amanda Bester and her assistance animal, Reo, to the premises and offices of the Department of Home Affairs, Western Cape amounted to unfair discrimination,” Alexander explained.
“This judgment has revealed that people with disabilities who use assistance animals are marginalised and are often denied access to public and private spaces, as well as public transportation. The lack of legislation protecting assistance animals and their owners from being turned away from public and private areas, buildings, and transportation has proven to be an obstacle that needs to be addressed.”
She said the licensing of assistance animals will create a regulatory framework where people with disabilities and their assistance animals can operate within and create a legislative environment that can prevent similar situations from happening.
“I have been a puppy raiser for GDA since 2019. During my time raising puppies for GDA, I raised two puppies; my last puppy Brinkely completed his training in April. He’s currently working as a guide dog for a stunning young woman who is studying at university.”
Alexander said it is very important to her to create opportunities for all people that will allow them to prosper.
“There is always a need for volunteers to assist organisations like the GDA with their puppy-raising programmes. In order for an assistance dog to be successful in their working career, these formative years are crucial.”
