EGDF-presidenten skrev till statsministern

Presidenten för European Guidedog Federation, EGDF, har skrivit ett brev till statsminister Stefan Lövén för att stötta SLHF i kampen för att ledarhundsförare i Sverige ska få samma förutsättning att använda sina ledarhundar som i många andra länder i Europa. Nedan kan ni läsa hans brev.

Dear Stefan Löfven,

I am writing to you from the UK, and I am pleased to tell you that in our county, properly trained guide dogs are allowed to lead their blind or partially sighted human companions wherever members of the public are allowed to go.

This means that guide dogs are allowed into the workplace, schools and colleges, shops, taxis, museums, hospitals, supermarkets, restaurants and to travel on all forms of transport. This in turn means that their blind companions can lead a full life without any disability discrimination.

Their right to Equality is set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This convention was adopted by the Council of the European Union in 2010 and should be observed by all member states.

We were really surprised to find that Sweden allows many restrictive practises which act against guide dogs and their blind partners.

I am writing to you on International Guide Dog Day in the hope that you will be able to change the rules and regulations in Sweden to allow them to catch up with the rest of Europe.

We have separately written to Märta Stenevi and several members of the European parliament and hope that you will be able to liaise with them to ensure blind people’s human rights are respected in your country.

Kind regards
David Adams
Hon. President
European Guide Dog Federation