Taxi driver turned away Wakefield blind man
A BLIND man said he was left waiting in the rain after being turned away by a private hire driver who wouldn't allow his guide dog in the car.
Alan Rayner, of Speak Close, Pinders Heath, had been to the theatre with his partner, Sheila Davies, who is partially sighted.
He said the couple rang Wakefield Cars, on Carter Street, to order a cab and explained that they had Mr Rayner's guide dog, Fudge, with them.
But when the cab arrived, Mr Rayner said he was told that Fudge could not get in.
Mr Rayner, 59, said: "I made my way to the rear door and as I was asking the driver to move the front seat forward the driver said something like, 'Don't bring the dog in here'."
He said Mrs Davies explained Fudge was a guide dog but the driver still refused to let them in the car.
By this time it was raining heavily and the couple had to return to the theatre to contact a different private hire company.
Mr Rayner, who is secretary of the Wakefield Visually Impaired Group, said he had enjoyed a good relationship with the firm in the past.
He said: "I do not want the driver to receive a heavy fine, or lose his job.
"Having said that, as a representative of the interests of many visually impaired people in the district, I have a responsibility to these vulnerable people to show I am protecting those hard-won rights of access."
What do you think about Mr Rayner's treatment? Have your say in the comments section below this story.
A spokesman for Wakefield Cars said: "A new driver was sent to pick up Mr Rayner and didn't realise his dog was a guide dog.
"When he told the office he had not picked Mr Rayner up, another cab was sent straight away but Mr Rayner had moved on.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
David Walker, Wakefield Council's service manager in legal and democratic services, said an investigation had been started into the matter.
Vicky Bell, of the Guide Dogs Association, said: "It is illegal to refuse someone access because of their disability."
For more on the Guide Dogs Association, click here
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Weather for Wakefield
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy snow
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
