Ontario passes "Blind Persons' Rights Act"

1970 Ontario is the first province to pass a law guaranteeing blind persons the legal right to be accompanied by a guide dog in all public places, further prohibiting additional charges because of the guide dog’s presence. In other words, no additional entry fees or taxes could be charged to a blind person accompanied by a guide dog.

The Ontario Blind Persons’ Rights Act also guaranteed to blind persons the right to equal housing opportunities. As with the right to be accompanied by a guide dog in public places, it was also specified that no special terms or conditions could be imposed based on the presence of the guide dog in any self contained dwelling unit.

-Caroline Lyster

Ontario passes "Blind Persons' Rights Act"

1970 Ontario is the first province to pass a law guaranteeing blind persons the legal right to be accompanied by a guide dog in all public places, further prohibiting additional charges because of the guide dog’s presence. In other words, no additional entry fees or taxes could be charged to a blind person accompanied by a guide dog.

The Ontario Blind Persons’ Rights Act also guaranteed to blind persons the right to equal housing opportunities. As with the right to be accompanied by a guide dog in public places, it was also specified that no special terms or conditions could be imposed based on the presence of the guide dog in any self contained dwelling unit.

-Caroline Lyster