For many people with disabilities, service animals are their key to independence.

Not everyone appreciates the essential role service animals play in the lives of people with disabilities. And many business owners aren't fully aware of their legal obligations.

When taxis, buses, trains, planes, stores, restaurants, theatres, concert halls and other businesses refuse access to service animals, they are not just inconveniencing and embarrasing the animal's owner. Barring service animals can leave the person in a potentially dangerous situation.

And it's against the law.

Service animals help people who:

• are blind or visually impaired
• have a physical or medical disability
• are Deaf or hard of hearing

Service animals are well trained. They are quiet, well behaved and non-aggressive. They won't bother anyone. They are trained to focus entirely on the needs of their owner.

If you deny access to a person with a service animal, you are breaking the law.

Learn more Understanding the Accessibility Standards for Customer Service Regulation