Guide dog users still face daily challenges with being accepted

When he took his guide dog into a popular fast-food restaurant recently, former fintech professional Sebastian Quek was told by a customer that no pets were allowed.

- Chin Soo Fang

When the 49-year-old with end-stage glaucoma explained that Vogue was a guide dog, the customer insisted that he leave the premises because "its fur will fly around".

This was one of many instances of rejection that those with visual impairments face daily, and something that organisations working with the blind community here are hoping to change ahead of International White Cane Day.

The annual event, marked on Oct 15, seeks to raise awareness of aids that blind people use to travel independently, such as canes and guide dogs.

Mr Quek noted that private-hire drivers had driven away when they spotted Vogue, and his table reservations at restaurants often got turned down when he made it known that his guide dog would be with him.

"I get rejected up to 70 per cent of the time when visiting new places. I needed to explain that guide dogs are allowed by law, and they are well-trained and well-behaved, but I still got turned away often," he said.

Guide dogs, which wear working harnesses indicating that they are working dogs, are allowed on public transport and at food establishments, including halal-certified restaurants and hawker centres.

There are also people who would try to lure Vogue away by whistling at her, even when Mr Quek is crossing the road. Such distractions can compromise her focus, putting both dog and handler at risk.

Using a white cane is no easy task either, especially when navigating crowded places.

"Nowadays, many people are glued to their phones, so they don't really see me," he said. "The few who offer me a seat in public transport would just walk away from their seat without informing me, when I cannot see."