Posted by surpriseshan2 on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/New-member-tp4022590p4022595.html

        Josephine are you aware that Electromagnetic Sensitivities is considered  an "official" disability in Canada? it is considered to be an Environmental Illness and similar to MCS [Multiple Chemical Sensitivities]. If I remember correctly/I am pretty sure that Fibromyalgia [FM]and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS] are also Environmental Illnesses.
  On the Canadian Human Rights Commission website http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/ they have a pdf file of the medical reasons why EMS is a disability  as well as a pdf file of the legal reasons; plus also explaining that MCS and EMS have to be accommodated in Canada-- the legislature was passed in Jan/Feb of 2007 EMS is considered to be part of MCS.  Plus since the disorder you have does  quality as an "official" disability ,you also qualify for this

CERA - Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodations
The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) is the only organization in Canada dedicated to ending discrimination in housing and promoting human rights in housing.
CERA carries out this work through public education, research, law reform, human rights casework, test case litigation and using international human rights law and mechanisms.
If you have experienced discrimination related to your housing, call us at 1-800-263-1139 ext. 22. You can also e-mail us at [hidden email]
http://www.equalityrights.org/cera/
 
    I live in Ottawa,Ontario and have a couple of times needed to inform a company that MCS [and also EMS] is an official disability and has to be accommodated in Canada. Some insurance companies in particular, in my experience, seem to not realize that MCS/EHS is an official disability in Canada. Some insurance companies like Halifax Insurance have a policy to accommodate disabilities regardless if they are "official " or not but others like The Co-operators attempt to insist that "insurance companies do not need to accommodate environmental sensitivities".  I have been quite surprised a couple of times by how many people with environmental illnesses do not realize that they legally have to be accommodated.  
           I believe there is an organization in BC which has filed 2 class action lawsuits against smart meter companies -- one lawsuit is for the violation of human rights under the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and the other lawsuit liability for Personal Injury

Canadian Human Rights Commission
National Office
344 Slater Street, 8th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1E1, Canada
Telephone:
 (613) 995-1151
Toll Free: 1-888-214-1090
TTY: 1-888-643-3304
Fax: (613) 996-9661
Regional Offices
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/about/reach_us-eng.aspx

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http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/research_program_recherche/esensitivities_hypersensibilitee/page7-eng.aspx

Electromagnetic radiation and fields

"Electromagnetic radiation" covers a broad range of frequencies (over 20 orders of magnitude), from low frequencies in electricity supplies, radiowaves and microwaves, infrared and visible light, to x-rays and cosmic rays.224 Our limited understanding of the biological effects of the vast majority of frequencies gives reason for concern.225-230 Although there is still debate in this regard,231-233 tinnitus, brain tumours and acoustic neuroma are associated with cell phones and mobile phones. 234-237

Communications and radar antennae expose those who live or work near these installations to their emissions. The radiation travels through buildings, and can also be conducted along electrical wires or metal plumbing. Wireless communications create levels within buildings that are orders of magnitude higher than natural background levels.238

The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the condition of electromagnetic sensitivity, and published a 2006 research agenda for radio-frequency fields.239 The WHO recommends that people reporting sensitivities receive a comprehensive health evaluation. It states: "Some studies suggest that certain physiological responses of EHS individuals tend to be outside the normal range. In particular, hyperactivity in the central nervous system and imbalance in the autonomic nervous system need to be followed up in clinical investigations and the results for the individuals taken as input for possible treatment." Studies of individuals with sensitivities ought to consider sufficient acclimatization of subjects as recommended by Joffres for chemical sensitivities,72 as well as recognition of individuals' wavelength-specific sensitivities. Reduction of electromagnetic radiation may ameliorate symptoms in people with chronic fatigue.240

It is worth noting that off-gassing of electrical equipment may also contribute to sensitivities.84 Different sorts of technology (e.g. various medical equipment, analogue or digital telephones; flat screen monitors and laptop computers or larger older monitors) may vary significantly in strength, frequency and pattern of electromagnetic fields.238
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THE MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE ON ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES
By: Margaret E. Sears (M.Eng., Ph.D.)
Abstract
Approximately 3% of Canadians have been diagnosed with environmental sensitivities, and many more are somewhat sensitive to traces of chemicals and/or electromagnetic phenomena in the environment. People experience neurological and numerous other symptoms, and avoidance of triggers is an essential step to regaining health. The Canadian Human Rights Commission commissioned this report to summarize scientific information about environmental sensitivities. For those interested in the original scientific and technical literature, an annotated bibliography is available on request from [hidden email]. This report addresses issues such as the definition and prevalence of environmental sensitivities; recognition by medical authorities; education and training within the medical community; origins, triggers and symptoms of sensitivities; impact of environmental sensitivities in the workplace; government policies and standards for building codes, air quality and ventilation as they affect individuals with environmental sensitivities; and guidelines for accommodation within the workplace. For people with environmental sensitivities, their health and ability to work rests with the actions of others, including building managers, co-workers and clients. Accommodating people with environmental sensitivities presents an opportunity to improve workplace environmental quality and worker performance, and may help prevent the onset of sensitivities in others.

To view the full report please connect to link below:
     Medical Perspective
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/research_program_recherche/esensitivities_hypersensibilitee/toc_tdm-eng.aspx


For further information on environmental sensitivities, click on the following Commission publications:
The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/pdf/envsensitivity_en.pdf
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/research_program_recherche/esensitivities_hypersensibilitee/toc_tdm-eng.aspx


ACCOMODATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES: LEGAL PERSPECTIVE
By: Cara Wilkie and David Baker
Abstract

Environmental sensitivities are a group of poorly understood medical conditions that cause people to react adversely to environmental triggers. The Canadian Human Rights Commission commissioned this report, in which the researchers seek to establish the status of the issues related to environmental sensitivities from a legal perspective and as these relate to the protection of human rights. The researchers examined case law, consulted experts and examined secondary sources on accommodation of people with environmental sensitivities in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, in order to answer several questions in the Canadian context: What is the status of the case law in these jurisdictions? Do building codes act as barriers to people with environmental sensitivities? What best practices emerge from the case law? How are conflicting interests reconciled? How can third parties be involved in the accommodation process? Where is the threshold of undue hardship? How are conflicts regarding accommodation preferences resolved?

To view the full report please connect to link below:
Accomodation / Legal Perspective
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/research_program_recherche/esensitivities_legal_hypersensibilitee/toc_tdm-eng.aspx


Accommodation for Environmental Sensitivities: Legal Perspective
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/pdf/legal_sensitivity_en.pdf
References:  http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/research_program_recherche/esensitivities_hypersensibilitee/page14-eng.aspx
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/research_program_recherche/esensitivities_legal_hypersensibilitee/toc_tdm-eng.aspx

Ontario Human Rights Commission Policy & Guidlines on Disabiliy & the Duty to Accommodate
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/Policies/PolicyDisAccom2/pdf


              blessings
                  Shan



--- In [hidden email], Josephine Z <z.josephine@...> wrote: