A man with severe sight impairment has issued a firm warning to taxi drivers, reminding them that they are legally required to accept guide dogs in their vehicles.
Nathan Major-Kershaw, 29, from Hull, has shared his frustration after several taxi drivers complained about his guide dog, Jackson. One driver even claimed that he had the right to refuse service to Nathan and his dog.
In a public social media post titled “This is a message for the city’s taxi drivers,” Major-Kershaw addressed the issue, emphasizing the legal obligations of taxi drivers. “If you do refuse to take a guide dog, you can, and will if it happens to me, be reported to licensing and have your license revoked,” he warned.
The Equality Act 2010 clearly states that taxis must carry guide dogs and other assistance dogs. Guide Dogs, a charity supporting individuals with visual impairments, further emphasizes that refusing to carry a guide dog or charging extra is a criminal offense, with the only exception being a medical exemption certificate issued by the licensing authority.
Major-Kershaw recounted an encounter where a taxi driver in Hull expressed concern about cleaning dog hair from the car after the journey. When Major-Kershaw asked the driver whether he had a medical exemption certificate, the driver admitted he did not.
In response, Major-Kershaw urged drivers to familiarize themselves with their legal responsibilities when it comes to assisting disabled passengers. He added that he had contacted the taxi company, which assured him it would address the issue with the driver.
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