Broadening Use of Assistance Dogs to Empower Persons with Disabilities
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Ong Hua Han’s inquiry regarding actions and timelines to broaden the use of assistance dogs for persons with disabilities beyond those who are visually impaired. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that guide dogs are currently permitted in food retail establishments and public transport under specific hygiene regulations. To support this, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and other agencies have issued joint circulars and awareness materials to help stakeholders identify guide dogs. Minister Masagos Zulkifli B M M shared that the government is now reviewing the expansion of assistance dog use with partners like Guide Dogs Singapore and K9 Assistance. This effort aligns with the Enabling Masterplan 2030 vision of building an inclusive society through increased public acceptance and awareness.
Transcript
82 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what actions have been undertaken to broaden the use of assistance dogs to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) beyond the visually impaired; (b) what future plans are in place; and (c) whether the expected timeline to broaden the use of assistance dogs can be shared.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Currently, guide dogs who assist persons with visual impairment are allowed to enter licensed food retail establishments and on public and private transport, such as MRT, LRT, buses, private hire cars and taxis.
To raise and sustain public awareness that guide dogs are allowed under the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations to enter licensed food retail establishments, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) had, in October 2021, together with Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and SG Enable, issued a joint circular with guidelines on how to identify guide dogs and to encourage licensees to allow guide dogs into their establishments. The joint circular has been published on SFA’s website since October 2021 and SFA recently re-circulated it to licensees on 31 May 2023 to reiterate that guide dogs accompanying blind or visually impaired persons are permitted in licensed food retail establishments. MSF and other Government agencies have also worked with Guide Dogs Singapore (GDS) to disseminate GDS’ posters and infographics about guide dogs.
We are working with relevant stakeholders, including Non-Government Organisations, such as GDS and K9 Assistance, to review how we can broaden the use of assistance dogs to empower persons with disabilities beyond the visually impaired. In line with our Enabling Masterplan 2030 vision for Singapore to be an inclusive society, public acceptance and awareness will be key to this effort.