Guide dogs are few in Taiwan society, and public places sometimes do not accept guide dogs. Many restaurants and shops do not like guide dogs to enter as they want their indoor spaces to be clean and fine for customers. According to Article 60(1) of the Act on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Persons with Disabilities (Taiwan), guide dogs are allowed to any public spaces whether it is outdoor or indoor. People cannot reject the guide dog’s entry unless there is a reason provided that did not go against the law. Any shops or public areas that reject guide dogs will be given a limit of time to change their prohibition by Taiwan’s social bureau. If the prohibition is not taken away after the limited time, the owners or workers of the public area will be punished with NTD ten thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars. Taiwan citizens are mostly quite accepting and open to guide dogs. Blind people and owners of guide dogs or retired guide dogs do not have to worry much about being prohibited from public spaces in Taiwan.
How we can change
We can share information about guide dogs associations to other people, going to the association building, engaging on the guide dog association’s website, or volunteering to help with guide dogs. Spreading the word about volunteering in guide dog associations with the internet can let many people understand this activity easily. Schools can also encourage students to donate money and volunteer.