2019-07-08
The complainant has depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and has an assistance animal. He alleged the respondent accommodation provider denied him accommodation when made aware that he has an assistance dog, citing a ‘no pets’ policy.
On being advised of the complaint, the accommodation provider indicated a willingness to participate in conciliation to try to resolve the complaint.
The complaint was resolved with an agreement that the accommodation provider write to the complainant apologising for the distress he experienced as a result of the incident, acknowledging that assistance animals are not pets and confirming that people with assistance animals will be offered accommodation in the future. The accommodation provider also undertook to develop a policy to prevent disability discrimination which would include provisions relating to assistance animals.
Year
Discrimination type
Disability Discrimination Act
Grounds
Assistance animal
Disability
Areas
Accommodation
Goods, services and facilities
Apology
Revised terms and conditions
Anti-discrimination/EEO policy developed
Amount