Case settled for a blind women

Human Rights Commission
Media release
3 August 2009

No room for blind woman with guide dog case settled

A blind woman has been awarded $8000 compensation in an out-of-court settlement after a guest accommodation refused to allow her to stay because she has a guide dog.

Tauranga woman Laura Eitjes and guide dog Rua had planned a short break in a North island town in February 2007. She stayed one night at a guest accommodation she had booked, but after a day sightseeing was refused lodging for another night. The accommodation owners said she could not stay in their premises with her guide dog, so Ms Eitjes had no choice but to find somewhere else where she and Rua were welcome.

The Human Rights Act says it is unlawful to deny someone a product or service on the grounds of their disability. Ms Eitjes complained to the Human Rights Commission. The Commission offered mediation but this proved unsuccessful.

The defendants chose to pay $1500 towards the cost of bringing a case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal. Ms Eitjes successfully applied to be represented before the Human Rights Review Tribunal by the Director of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings, Robert Hesketh.

Before the case was heard, the now former guest accommodation owners settled the case through their lawyer by offering an unreserved apology to Ms Eitjes and paying her $8000 as compensation for the emotional harm she experienced as a result of discrimination. Ms Eitjes has decided to donate $5000 to the puppy development programme of the Guide Dog Services of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.

Under the settlement, the guest accommodation owners, the name of their business and the town remain confidential.

ENDS

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