Visually impaired paralympian blocked from competing due to UK guide dog policy

A Paralympic swimmer set to compete in this summer’s Games says his career is at risk after post-Brexit policy changes barred him from flying in and out of the UK with his guide dog.

Mar Gunnarsson, a visually impaired Icelandic national studying in Manchester, has been unable to travel to represent his country at sporting events because his guide dog, Max, is not recognized as a service animal by UK authorities. This has prevented him from flying both to competitions and back home to Iceland.

The UK government restrictions, branded "nonsensical" by disability groups, ban travelers with disabilities from boarding flights to and from the UK with an assistance dog unless the organization that trained the dog is recognized by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Since Brexit, travelers also need an animal health certificate from a vet for each trip to the EU, which can cost up to £200, replacing the previous European pet passport.

Gunnarsson, 24, who also pursues a career in music, has been grounded since February after the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) tightened rules governing assistance dogs. These rules now restrict cabin access to dogs trained by organizations that are members of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Previously, any formally certified guide dog was allowed.

Max is owned by the National Institute for the Blind, Visually Impaired, and Deafblind in Iceland, and trained by an official Swedish organization not signed up to either IGDF or ADI. This has created a barrier for Gunnarsson, affecting his ability to travel for his sport and studies.

“This blatant discrimination is more disabling than blindness,” Gunnarsson said. “Max is my eyes and has made my life significantly easier. I refuse to trade him for any randomly assigned guide dog with a bureaucratic stamp from an office in Reading.”

To travel with Max, Gunnarsson now has to take a train to mainland Europe and catch a connecting service, significantly increasing his travel time and costs.

Samantha Fothergill, senior legal adviser for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, said the UK rules might contravene equality laws. “It’s a breach of EU regulations on air travel for airlines to refuse to carry a recognized assistance dog. This legislation still applies in the UK post-Brexit. We urgently need the government to issue clarification to air carriers confirming that all recognized assistance dogs are permitted to travel, including Max.”

The restrictions aim to prevent non-disabled passengers from passing off pets as assistance dogs to avoid cargo charges, an issue seen in the US where disability rights legislation prevents airlines from requesting proof of official training, leading to widespread exploitation.

Campaigners are calling for an internationally accepted definition of an assistance dog to prevent exclusion and confusion. The European standardization body, CEN, is working with disability groups on an international training standard, though its implementation could take years.

The CAA has been reviewing its new policy after lobbying from airlines. An announcement expected this month has been delayed due to the election. The CAA declined to comment for the same reason.

Gunnarsson emphasized the urgency of the situation. “I cannot afford to put my life on hold while waiting for diplomats to review their policies,” he said. “The thought breaks my heart that I might have to give Max away if the obstacles in our path become too challenging to overcome.”

[Information sourced from The Guardian]