GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND (Policy)

GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND

**

(Policy): **

8.

Mr Sin Boon Ann asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports whether the Government will now consider an official policy on the use of guide dogs for the blind in public places.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports supports the use of guide dogs as another form of mobility guide for blind persons. Guide dogs can help blind persons to negotiate their way in public places, so that they can better integrate into mainstream society. The dogs also provide valuable companionship for blind persons.

Government regulations regarding the presence of guide dogs in public places are flexible. In the area of public transport, there are provisions in SMRT's regulations that allow a guide dog accompanying a blind person to enter our trains and stations. Guide dogs are allowed in bus interchanges. They are also allowed on public buses as long as they do not cause discomfort to other passengers due to close proximity.

In the area of environmental health, the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations currently prohibit live animals or birds in licensed food retail outlets. This is also the case in various other countries for public hygiene reasons. However, some countries have exempted guide dogs from their regulations. The rationale for such an exemption is that being well trained, guide dogs are not likely to compromise environmental hygiene practices, so long as they are harnessed and kept at the owner's side at all times. The National Environment Agency has recently carried out a review, and has decided to grant licensees of food establishments the discretion to allow guide dogs in their premises, so long as the dogs are harnessed and kept at the owner's side at all times. This will come into effect before the end of the year.