RILEY WALTER
RIVERLAND veterans accompanied by assistance dogs are repeatedly being refused accommodation when travelling, according to a Returned Services League (RSL) representative.
Chaffey RSL regional co-ordinator, Ray Hartigan OAM, says veterans are being turned away from hotels and motels regularly despite providing documents to show their assistance dogs are accredited.
While Mr Hartigan declined to name establishments, he said incidents had occurred in the Riverland in the past, including recently when a travelling veteran was forced to sleep in his car.
Mr Hartigan said in most cases establishments denied access to veterans due to an increase in “impersonators” purchasing fraudulent assistance dog equipment online.
“I don’t want to shame anybody, I don’t want to blame any organisation,” Mr Hartigan said.
“I just want public awareness…”
Despite most establishments offering an apology once the issue is pursued further, Mr Hartigan said the discrimination is often repeated.
“Once they’re called out they then co-operate, but you don’t know the next time…” he said.
“They just capitulate and go ahead and do whatever they want to do anyway.”
Renmark veteran John Hume, who served in the Royal Australian Navy for 20 years, has experienced first-hand the difficulty of finding accommodation while travelling with his labrador, Oriana.
Although occurring “randomly”, Mr Hume said these incidents continue to highlight the lack of awareness around assistance dogs and their purpose, as well as the legal rights of their handlers.
“I think it’s just pure ignorance of the law,” he said.
Despite the Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 guaranteeing access to all public places in Australia for assistance dogs, Mr Hume believes more needs to be done to police the legislation.
Echoing Mr Hartigan’s suggestions, Mr Hume believes education is the only way to avoid future discrimination against veterans, particularly with the increase in returned service men and women.
“There’s more and more of these veterans coming back from Afghanistan and taking up these things with the dogs,” he said.
Mr Hume hopes that speaking out on the issue of discrimination will result in a more understanding approach in the future.
“I don’t want to cause any waves or anything like that…” he said.
“All I want is to see the right thing done.”