Indian restaurant turns away blind man

In the wake of the blind man who was refused entry into Peacocks, and the taxi firm who refused the blind woman because of her dog, an Indian restaurant has allegedly refused to allow a blind man enter because his dog was against the religious beliefs of the owner.

The man, Alun Elder-Brown, was asked to leave the restaurant, despite being with friends at a birthday party. He was even told that the police would be called if he did not leave and take his guide dog with him.

The fifty-one-year-old man is considering taking legal action against the Indian restaurant, the Kirthon in Tunbridge Wells, on the grounds of discrimination. He believes that the restaurant and its owners are guilty of breaking the Disability Discrimination Act.

According to Mr Elder-Brown:

It was humiliating and degrading, especially as there were a lot of people around me.

They told me we couldn’t come in because it was against their religious beliefs to have a dog in the restaurant.

They then said I could leave Finn tied up outside. I stayed calm but when they said they would call police I left.

I don’t want to be a torch-bearer for guide dogs but this sort of behaviour has got to stop.

The Disability Discrimination Act has made it illegal for any restaurant to refuse to serve any disabled person, which includes a blind man and his guide dog. It does appear that the Indian restaurant has breached this act.

Guide dog charity, ‘Guide Dogs’ Chris Dyson stated:

We are extremely disappointed that Alun was refused access to this restaurant.

Alun’s guide dog provides him with independence and it is unacceptable if this freedom is removed because of the attitude of service providers.

Guide dogs are well-groomed and are trained to sit at their owner’s feet, not climb on seats or bother other customers.

Darren Jamieson