Blind woman not allowed to enter shops with guide dog in Aydın

AYDIN – Doğan News Agency

Yıldız Gedikoğlu, 25, is a visually impaired physiotherapist living in the Noyon town of Bauvais in France who came to Aydın to visit family. DHA Photo

A visually impaired woman was denied entry into any shop or restaurant in the Aegean province of Aydın with her guide dog that was given to her in France.

Yıldız Gedikoğlu, 25, is a visually impaired physiotherapist living in the Noyon town of Bauvais in France. She recently came to Aydın to visit her family. However, she was denied entry into any shop or restaurant in the city because of her guide dog, which was given to her by an association in France.

Recalling that dogs are not allowed in many places in France, Gedikoğlu said “but guide dogs can enter any place.” “They have been used since 1958 in France. It is not easy to understand that my guide dog was not even allowed to enter a shopping mall,” she added.

She said she did not encounter any problems during her flight to İzmir through Turkish Airlines. However, she began having problems as soon as she landed. “We searched for a taxi that would accept me and my dog for hours in the airport. Only one taxi driver agreed to take me and my guide dog. Our problems continued in Aydın, too. Shops, shopping malls and restaurants did not allow me to enter,” she said.

“I have seen once again that people with disabilities do not have the right to live in Turkey,” Gedikoğlu added.

Ergül Gedikoğlu, 48, mother of Yıldız Gedikoğlu, said her two daughters were born blind. She voiced her sorrow concerning the incident and added the guide dog had an identity card and a passport, but this was not helpful when they attempted to enter any place.