Cyprus Ombudsman proposes legalizing access for guide dogs to all public places and transport

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Cyprus, Maria Stylianou Lottidis, has put forward an initiative to legally enshrine the right of people with disabilities to freely access any public places and use all forms of transport together with guide dogs.

According to the Ombudsman’s report, Cyprus still lacks unified and binding rules regulating access for guide dogs. As a result, people with disabilities regularly face refusals — both in catering establishments and hotels, as well as in transport. Decisions on access are often left to the discretion of business owners or drivers, which contradicts the principles of equal access.

An inspection carried out by the Ombudsman showed that:

• in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, access for guide dogs is not regulated by law;
• in urban buses, travel with guide dogs is formally permitted, but refusals are recorded in practice;
• in taxis and tourist buses, the right to be accompanied by a guide dog is not defined at all.

An additional problem remains the absence in Cyprus of a system for training, certification, and state support for guide dogs, which increases legal uncertainty.

According to the Ombudsman, around 2–2.1 thousand people in the Republic of Cyprus are blind — this group most often needs assistance from guide dogs. Lottidis emphasizes that accessibility should not depend on the “goodwill” of individuals and calls for urgent legislative changes.