A disabled woman claims Coventry University prevented her from working with her assistance dog on campus. The case raises questions about workplace obligations under disability discrimination law.
What the law says
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, which includes permitting legitimate assistance dogs. Universities are public bodies with specific duties to eliminate discrimination. Refusing access to an assistance dog without substantial justification may constitute unlawful disability discrimination.
If this happens to you
Document all refusals in writing and request the university's specific reasons. Contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission or seek legal advice about potential discrimination claims. Report the incident to the Assistance Dog Registry to help identify patterns of non-compliance.
Source: The Coventry Observer
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