A woman says she is filing a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission against a taxi company that says its drivers denied her and her service dog several rides last month in Leduc, Alta.
Karen Almond told Global News on Friday, “It feels like I’m being discriminated against because I’m disabled and I have a service dog.” “It feels like a slap in the face.
“It feels terrible. It’s like you’re no longer human.
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Almond alleges that these incidents occurred on 5 December and two more incidents occurred on 23 December. She said they all belong to Sunrise Cabs and she called them even after being denied service because she thought some other driver might give her a ride.
“My wrists were broken, I had a very heavy bag of groceries,” she said of one incident.
“There’s no way I can get home without a taxi.”
She said that in that instance, she told the dispatcher when she called that she had a service dog and that she had certification to prove it. Almond said her dog has an official service dog vest.
She said she was told the company would give service dogs rides but that when the driver arrived he would not walk her with his dog, Burnley. She said she told the driver that the dog was not a pet and then abused her before driving off.
“So I went back inside[the grocery store]in tears,” Almond recalled, adding that a couple saw what happened and brought her and her dog home with their groceries.
Global News spoke to a representative of Sunrise Cabs over the phone on Friday. He declined an on-camera interview, but said the company gives rides to service dogs and was not sure what happened in the events described by Almond.
Almond said she felt compelled to reach out with her story after seeing the story of another woman on Global News last month who said she had a hard time riding with her service dog in Edmonton.
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Greg McMeekin, Alberta’s advocate for persons with disabilities, said his office has received an “uptake” of similar reports.
“It’s becoming more prevalent in the last few weeks,” he said on Friday. “It’s becoming more and more of an issue.
“I think it’s related to general awareness and confusion. I’m not sure whether people are aware of the Service Dogs Act in Alberta, which allows people who use the services of a service dog to be able to access basically everywhere. allows for.
McMeekin said he was disappointed to hear the news.
“What our office has been able to do is educate and support and provide information to Albertans,” he said. As far as the next step is concerned, it will be up to the individual to decide what to do next. But generally speaking it’s disappointing.
“By not providing service, you are not only not complying with the (Service Dogs) Act, but you are potentially putting both the person and the service dog at risk, and no one wants to see that.”
When asked about the growing number of people reporting being unable to ride with their service dogs, a spokesperson for the province said the government is “committed to ensuring that all Albertans have access to accessible transportation in their communities.” can reach.”
“Alberton disabled people who use a qualified service dog are guaranteed public access rights under the Service Dogs Act and should be allowed access to any space,” Lisa Shankeruk wrote in an email. “A taxi driver unable to transport a person and their service dog may order another taxi from the company, requesting priority response is provided.
“Businesses that discriminate against qualified service dog teams can be fined up to $3,000. To report a crime, individuals can file a report on alberta.ca website or contact their local authorities.
McMeekin said, “There are two issues at play here: the issue of individuals with service animals not being able to access services, however, there is also a larger issue of accessible transportation.” “This remains an issue and it speaks to the need for comprehensiveness, both as the Alberta legislation relates to accessibility and also an enhancement of the existing (Accessible Canada Act) … which pertains to everything under federal jurisdiction. Is.”
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“I feel very bad about these stories because I myself have experienced them in the past, and all you can do is either advocate for yourself or make alternative arrangements at that time.”
McMeekin said his office has a strategic plan in place to advance access issues in Alberta and he expects “meaningful progress to be made within the calendar year.”
He said the challenges with respect to people with disabilities being able to access transport are particularly pronounced in more rural areas.
Almond said Burnley has been able to detect low blood pressure and seizures.
“He saved my life four times already,” she said. “He’s my family. He’s my service dog. He’s helped me a lot.”
-Sara Comadina, with files from Global News
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