Saturday, September 25, 2010

South Australia Government includes MCS in Disability Access Guidelines 2010!!

From Harry Clark at MCS News Australia:

"The South Australian Government's Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure has completed guidelines for disability access to government buildings that include Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. 
 
Most Important development of International Significance. South Australia is a Global Hot Spot for MCS policy advancement. To the best of my knowledge this is the first time an Australian Government Authority has specifically included MCS in any Disability Access Guidelines. The inclusion of MCS has been resisted, although a Senate Committee in 2010 made it clear the MCS should be investigated for potential inclusion in the 2015 review of the Federal Disability Access legislation and policies.

Checklist questions include non-toxic renovating products, avoiding pesticides and toxic cleaners, and ensuring that the building is smoke and fragrance free."

Part 3 of the Guide:
provides a checklist of the likelihood of low level atmosphere contaminates within the building environment, with
the objective to minimising contaminate exposure levels to persons with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) so they are not undeservedly affected. (NOTE: A recent survey by the Department of Health that assessed the prevalence of MCS and chemical sensitivity in the South Australian community found 1% had been medically diagnosed with MCS and 16% reported chemical
 

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