Unlocking Accessibility: Key Standards for Assistance Dogs in Public and Private Spaces

Valentina Bosenko
Feb 8
5 min read

Access for individuals with disabilities is a central concern in today’s society, and organizations worldwide increasingly recognize the value of inclusivity. In agriculture and beyond, standards are vital for ensuring that all people—including those partnered with assistance dogs—can participate fully in public life. Among these standards, SIST EN 17984-6:2025 stands out for its comprehensive coverage of accessibility and universal access for assistance dog teams. This article explores the importance of this standard, its major requirements, and how adopting such guidelines boosts productivity, security, and scalability for businesses and public services.

Overview: Accessibility in Agriculture and Public Spaces

The agricultural sector is more than just farms and fields—it includes operators of rural tourism, food production facilities, supply stores, agribusinesses, and markets, all of which are public or semi-public environments. As society advances, there is an increasing demand for universal access to these spaces, particularly for individuals accompanied by assistance dogs.

Accessibility is not simply a moral or ethical obligation but a critical business imperative. Modern standards like SIST EN 17984-6:2025 foster the creation of barrier-free environments, enabling equal participation, improving the efficiency of service delivery, and protecting the rights enshrined in international human rights conventions—such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Incorporating accessibility standards into business and facility management increases organizational scalability, enhances customer satisfaction, and reduces legal risks. This article will break down the requirements of the leading standard in this area and guide you on leveraging its recommendations for maximum impact.

Detailed Standards Coverage

SIST EN 17984-6:2025 – Creating Universal Access for Assistance Dog Teams

Assistance Dogs – Part 6: Accessibility and Universal Access

This European Standard sets out robust requirements and recommendations to ensure that public and private spaces—including those in the agriculture sector—achieve universal access for teams working with assistance dogs. It defines accessibility for both indoor and outdoor environments, including social services, medical and educational facilities, public institutions, cultural and sporting venues, travel infrastructure, and workplaces.

Scope and Applicability:

Applies to all environments where the public is admitted or can be accommodated—offices, waiting rooms, agricultural exhibition spaces, cooperatives, nature reserves, and more
Includes guidance for accessibility in the workplace and during the training of assistance dogs
Addresses both public and private facilities

Key Requirements:

Businesses and facilities must provide flexible physical and virtual environments to accommodate assistance dog teams, allowing them to approach, enter, exit, and use spaces and services with the same ease as anyone else.
Access must be extended to all spaces, including agricultural workplaces, food processing areas (with appropriate hygiene measures), and rural service venues.
Service providers and responsible bodies are tasked with implementing these measures proactively.
Information about facilities and services (such as opening hours, entry rules, emergency exits) should be accessible, using formats and communication methods suitable for people with disabilities (e.g., signage, electronic information, staff training).
Explicit prohibition of discrimination: All forms of denial or obstruction of access for assistance dog teams are prohibited unless legally justified (e.g., certain hygiene areas with an alternative provided).

Universal Access Recommendations:

Remove physical barriers in walking paths, entrances, and rest areas
Provide accessible transport options—such as shuttle services at agricultural fairs—that accommodate assistance dog teams
Ensure attitudinal accessibility: Staff and the public should be educated to interact appropriately and respectfully with assistance dog teams
Offer alternative routes or procedures where access to a specific location is lawfully restricted (for example, food-safe zones in a processing plant), ensuring essential services remain available

Responsibilities of Assistance Dog Teams:

Teams should ensure the behavior and hygiene of assistance dogs meet public standards, helping foster broader acceptance
Teams must be prepared to provide suitable documentation and identification when necessary

Practical Implications for Implementation:

Facility managers and agricultural event organizers must assess and adapt infrastructures, from paths and entrances to meeting areas, ensuring seamless access
Public outreach and staff training are key for dispelling myths or negative attitudes about assistance dogs
Accessibility audits should be routine

Key highlights:

Widely applicable to all sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, and rural services
Promotes barriers removal both physically (buildings, rural venues) and socially (informational, attitudinal)
Aligns businesses with major international conventions and European laws for inclusion

Access the full standard: View SIST EN 17984-6:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

How Standards Affect Businesses

Enhanced accessibility, as mandated by the standard, directly benefits organizations by:

Expanding potential customer base to include people with disabilities and assistance dog teams
Demonstrating corporate social responsibility and boosting reputation
Enabling agricultural businesses to bid for more public contracts, where universal access is a requirement
Reducing the risk of discrimination lawsuits and aligning with European Accessibility Act requirements

Compliance Considerations

Non-compliance exposes companies to legal action and reputational damage
Facilities failing to accommodate assistance dog teams may face complaints under national equality legislation, EU directives, or international conventions
Regular reviews, feedback from users, and engagement with disability advocacy organizations help sustain compliance

Benefits of Adopting the Standard

Increases productivity by streamlining service delivery (no need for case-by-case adjustments)
Enhances security—clear, standardized procedures prevent misunderstandings and incidents
Supports scaling-up operations by creating universally accessible environments from the ground up
Reduces long-term retrofitting costs if included at the design stage

Risks of Non-Compliance

Legal penalties or loss of business licenses in some jurisdictions
Reputational harm from negative publicity or customer reviews
Missed commercial opportunities (exclusion from public sector tenders or franchise networks)

Implementation Guidance

Common Approaches to Implementation

Accessibility Audits: Evaluate current premises, routes, and services for barriers. Include both physical (entrances, passageways, restrooms) and informational (signage, website information) access points.
Staff Training: Conduct regular sessions to raise awareness of disability issues and teach staff how to interact with assistance dog teams appropriately.
Policy Updates: Revise organizational guidelines to explicitly allow for assistance dog team access, and communicate these policies to all personnel and customers.
Facility Modifications: Adjust entrances, rest areas, and travel paths; create designated relief areas as needed for dogs; ensure non-slip flooring and adequate lighting.
Integrated Communication: Provide accessible info versions—large print, braille, accessible websites—and ensure customer service is user-friendly for all.
Continuous Feedback Loop: Encourage feedback from assistance dog users to refine access measures.

Best Practices

Collaborate with local disability groups or agricultural advisory services when designing or retrofitting environments
Include accessibility provisions in event planning from the start (for agri-fairs, open days, etc.)
Use checklists and toolkits based on the SIST EN 17984-6:2025 requirements
Routinely review and update protocols to stay current with evolving legislation and best practices

Useful Resources

National standards organizations often provide compliance guides and training modules
Disability rights advocacy groups offer tailored educational resources and testing opportunities
iTeh Standards provides the full text and updates for all relevant standards, making it easier for professionals to stay informed

Conclusion / Next Steps

Inclusion and accessibility are no longer optional in the modern marketplace—they are embedded in law and essential for social progress. SIST EN 17984-6:2025outlines clear, actionable requirements for agricultural sector businesses, facility managers, and service providers, ensuring that assistance dog teams enjoy equal access to all spaces and services. Adopting these standards not only fulfills legal and ethical obligations, but it also unlocks significant business benefits: broader market reach, enhanced goodwill, and streamlined operations.

Recommendation:

Proactively review your facilities and services against the guidance in SIST EN 17984-6:2025
Invest in staff training and ongoing improvement
Consult with affected users to ensure practical, real-world accessibility

For professionals in agriculture or any related public-facing sector, now is the time to integrate universal access measures—helping create truly inclusive, productive, and secure environments for all.