MCS survey

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Below is an email I received from a friend that has been working on

getting continued research about MCS people in the workplace. I hope that

those

of you capable of working will consider taking part in this " survey " .

thank-you, in Ohio

As you already know, I have been helping two professors at Kent State who

are attempting to gather research subjects with MCS for the project described

below. They submitted this proposal to the National Institute of Disability

Research and Rehabilitation Institute for funding to do a large scale study of

MCSers and work accommodation issues. We need research subjects who are

working in a " real " job and have MCS.

I have worked with Dr. Koch and Dr.Rumrill for about 2 years now and I feel

pretty good about their commitment to help. Dr. Koch and I wrote an article

together that was published in a professional journal for rehabilitation

counselors which I can send out if anyone wishes to read it. (It is also

available

from the CIIN library.) Dr. Koch also already interviewed about a dozen of

us which was the basis for the article. Although the housing issue is the one

issue I feel is most critical and is near and dear to my heart, I am doing

all that I can to help with this project because I believe (1) we need folks

who do not have the illness to be spokespeople and advocates on our behalf

(they may have more credibility) and (2) I believe they will soon realize what

we already know - that vocational rehab is pointless if the housing we are in

is making us sick. But until they must first do thorough research before

they will be convinced.

If you or anyone else consent to be interviewed, you will receive a privacy

agreement and that you and the researchers will sign so that all personal

info and your identity is kept confidential. The interviews will likely be done

over the phone in two sessions of about 45 minutes to 1 hour each.

You can forward this e-mail on to anyone you know in the U.S. who might be

willing to be interviewed about their work experiences. If you wish to

participate as a subject please send me contact info.

Thank you,

Barb Eaton 330-297-8741

Kent State University – Field Initiated Research Project on Employment

Discrimination Experiences of Americans with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Abstract

(CFDA 84.133G-1)

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic, progressive illness that

affects multiple organ systems and presents substantial barriers to

employment. Among both helping professionals and the general public, there is

a great

deal of misunderstanding about MCS, and the stigma associated with this

illness is reported by those affected to result in pervasive experiences of

employment discrimination. Thus, the purposes of the proposed field-initiated

research project on Employment Discrimination Experiences of Americans with MCS

will be to (a) develop an employment discrimination profile of people with MCS;

( compare the discrimination profiles of people with MCS to those of

individuals with other types of disabilities; © compare the Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission (EEOC) case resolution profiles of people with MCS to

those of individuals with other types of disabilities; and (d) conduct focus

groups to translate the research findings into priorities for rehabilitation

planning.

Research questions for the proposal call for the use of the EEOC’s

Integrated Mission System (IMS) dataset, which is used to store nationwide data

regarding allegations of employment discrimination under Title I of the

Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA). Analyses based on existing information in this

database will provide answers to such questions as the demographic

characteristics of people with MCS who file complaints, the industries and size

of

employers against whom complaints are filed, the nature of discrimination

alleged

to occur, and the formal outcome/resolution of the complaint process. This

information, along with comparisons of the profiles of individuals with MCS to

the profiles of other disability groups, will provide (a) important insights

into the nature and scope of ADA employment discrimination against people with

MCS and ( facilitate the development of more meaningful training and other

strategies for the prevention and timely resolution of discriminatory

activity. Given the need to examine these issues and to share the results of

the

subsequent research, the project also includes a comprehensive dissemination

component. The proposal is being submitted by Kent State University, Center for

Disability Studies in the College of Education. Dr. Rumrill,

Professor and Director of the Center for Disabilities Studies, is the principal

investigator, and Dr. Lynn Koch, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the

Rehabilitation Counseling Program, is the co-investigator.

Taken in aggregate, this project addresses important topics regarding the

discrimination experiences of people with MCS. Focus groups of people with MCS,

rehabilitation service providers, and employers will enable the

investigators to translate the research findings into specific strategies to

improve the

employment outcomes of people with MCS. Dissemination activities are designed

to address the respective needs and concerns of a diverse target audience

including rehabilitation and employment support providers, consumers with MCS,

family members, and employers.