Unfortunately, it turns out that relatively disabled people get a job much less often than ‘normal’ employees, although they still have the capacities and tools to perform a job perfectly. Fortunately, a number of blind or partially sighted people are at work, although they usually have to overcome some obstacles. Guide dog users also take their guide dog, their four-legged friend, to the work floor with them. This sometimes raises questions, but a guide dog usually ensures a positive climate in the working environment.
- Importance
- Benefits
- Guidelines for colleagues
- Practical
Importance
Despite the fact that blind and visually impaired people often have the right capacities and talents, they still find it difficult to find a job. There is a lot of fear on the part of the employer, but also ignorance about what is possible or not. Employers sometimes have a bit of fear of hiring someone with a disability and also a dog; this can also raise many questions. A cultural change is therefore needed at the employer, but also among employees and people from the target group itself, so that it is normal for them to be able to integrate into society and to find an inclusive labor market. After all, they are more than just a disability: They are an ordinary employee, who may require adjustments, but are otherwise a colleague like everyone else. A number of visually impaired employees take their guide dogs to work.
Benefits
A guide dog in the workplace offers many advantages:
- Destination: He allows that to bring the boss to the destination
- More energy: The boss has more energy left to put into the work; walking with a long cane is much more tiring than with a guide dog
- More productivity: Various studies have shown that the presence of a dog in the workplace increases labor productivity. People mostly like it, come to have a chat, pet the dog, the dog provides a certain rest.
- Ambiance: The atmosphere is happier and more relaxed when a dog is present on the work floor. It really makes colleagues happier.
Guidelines for colleagues
If good agreements have been made with the owner about the handling of the guide dog, it will go very smoothly. Often colleagues do not even notice that there is a guide dog. It is important that the boss and colleagues remain as consistent as possible because some guide dogs can very quickly start to profit and for example demand too much attention, or start sniffing someone’s garbage bin, bag or coat without being asked.
Do not feed
A guide dog always receives food from the owner because otherwise he can get sick and / or can quickly become too attached to someone else (because food is always a reward for the dog). Don’t run the rule. is not easy for everyone to maintain, so the boss must also be strict about that.
Do not pet / lure / play without being asked
The dog may only go to colleagues for a petting session or a game after the owner’s permission. Otherwise, the dog may have a tendency to demand attention from colleagues at all times, even when it is inappropriate. Usually, it can be petting and playing for a while during the break and / or in the morning and / or in the evening.
Practical
When a guide dog user starts working somewhere, he provides information to the environment. A guide dog is usually completely established there quite quickly. The dog is in the basket or on a mat close to the owner. He sleeps or rests there, or he enjoys himself with a bone or a toy. He always goes to a meeting or seminar, but in principle the boss takes into account people who are allergic, for example; the dog cannot come along for a while. During the day, the dog can sometimes take a break to greet colleagues or to play with it. At noon, the owner goes outside with the guide dog and they get some fresh air together. Sometimes it is possible to play for a while in addition to the walk or there is even a short loose walk.
