Rising temperatures and heatwaves are forcing London journalist and content creator Emily Davison to put the health and safety of her guide dog, Rosie, ahead of her independence.
“Rosie’s health has to come first,” Davison said.
During periods of extreme heat, Davison has had to cancel trips to work events because it can be unsafe for Rosie to travel. Missing these journeys can also mean losing important work and earning opportunities.
She says public transport, including buses, can become dangerously hot. She also avoids using Uber after “too many experiences where they’ve not let me in with a dog”.
Finding an accessible taxi has also become more challenging, despite using the London Taxicard scheme, a subsidised taxi service for people with mobility impairments or severe sight loss.
Davison says every journey now requires detailed planning, leaving her feeling isolated and limiting both her employment opportunities and independence.
“It does put the brakes on your life,” she said. “When you’re in this situation, have a guide dog and can’t do anything, certain parts of your life really do grind to a halt.”
She is now working from home for longer periods, but says she is fortunate to have that option because many disabled people cannot work remotely.
“I think the culture of working from home and having that option is really important to ensure disabled people can continue to stay in employment,” Davison said.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk