Italian
A day to defend free access, fight discrimination, and highlight the irreplaceable role of guide dogs in the lives of blind and visually impaired people.
ROME – A guide dog is not just a loyal companion or a support for daily mobility: it is an ambassador of autonomy, safety, affection, and inclusion. It is an ally that teaches society the value of respect and acceptance. With this spirit, the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired (UICI) is celebrating the 20th edition of National Guide Dog Day on Thursday, October 16, choosing the slogan “Rights in Motion” to reaffirm that defending the rights of blind people and their guide dogs means defending the principle of freedom for everyone. Even today, episodes of discrimination and intolerance still occur—denying access to public transportation, commercial venues, or places of worship—violating clear and long-standing laws.
The central moment of the day will be the 11:00 AM meeting between Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies, and a UICI delegation led by President Mario Barbuto. The event will take place in the President’s personal library and will include sixteen guide dogs accompanied by their handlers, trainers, and foster families—true witnesses to the everyday lives and long training journeys these animals undergo before being entrusted to a blind person. A demonstrative walk to Piazza di Spagna will follow, offering the public a chance to experience the value of these life companions and the urgent need to guarantee their full respect and recognition.
A guide dog—typically a Labrador or Golden Retriever—undergoes at least six months of specialized training, followed by a personalized integration period with the future handler. In Italy, there are five certified training schools, but despite their high quality, demand exceeds supply, and waiting times can reach up to two years. For this reason, UICI emphasizes the need to strengthen the entire system: from training centers to puppy fostering, from socialization programs to the financial resources required to shorten delivery times. At the same time, it is essential to guarantee free access for guide dogs in all areas of daily life—from public transport to hospitality venues, from restaurants to religious services—provided the dog wears a muzzle. Unfortunately, these rules are too often ignored or violated, leading to unacceptable discrimination.
“A guide dog is far more than a tool for autonomy: it is a life companion, a silent educator that teaches what respect and inclusion really mean,”
says UICI President Mario Barbuto.
“With this Day, we reaffirm that the rights of blind people—and, more broadly, of people with disabilities—are not privileges, but civil achievements. Our appeal is clear: shorten waiting times, strengthen the fostering and training pipeline, and guarantee unrestricted access, without discrimination, without obstacles, without compromise.”
Reinforcing this message is the 2025 Budget Law (Law No. 207 of December 30, 2024), which introduces important changes in paragraphs 223 to 230. The law extends the protections currently granted to guide dogs to include assistance dogs, expands tax benefits, and increases penalties for those who deny access or engage in discrimination. It also recognizes the right of access for dogs in socialization or training stages, so they can experience real-world environments and learn to manage everyday situations.
There are also new benefits for travelers:
- Airlines will be obligated to allow free transport of assistance dogs, regardless of size or weight
- Ferries and ships will be required to guarantee access on board and in common areas
Tax benefits will be updated to support families and handlers, sending a strong signal against the violation of rights. A Technical Committee will be established at the Ministry for Disabilities to develop uniform criteria for the official recognition of assistance dogs and the schools that train them, ensuring high and consistent standards nationwide.
National Guide Dog Day is not limited to the Rome event: in parallel and in the days to follow, UICI local chapterswill organize local events, public meetings, demonstrations, and awareness campaigns to promote a culture of inclusion, coexistence, and active citizenship. The message that UICI consistently advocates is simple and powerful: the rights of blind people and their guide dogs are not acts of kindness—they are pillars of a fair and civil society.
The Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired, a recognized legal entity under private law, represents over 360,000 blind people and more than 1.5 million visually impaired individuals in Italy. It has always worked toward the full social, cultural, and professional integration of visually impaired individuals, through services, education, assistance, and advocacy.
“Rights in Motion” is not just the slogan of a symbolic day: it is a concrete commitment, a daily call for respect, and a step forward toward a barrier-free society.
Because a guide dog doesn’t just open a door—it opens the path to freedom.
