Affiliations: Kent State University, Department of Educational
Foundations & Special Services, Kent, OH, USA | University of Arkansas, Rehabilitation, Human
Resources, and Communication Disorders Department, Little Rock, AR, USA | Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Richmond, VA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Courtney Vierstra, Center for
Disability Studies, 414 White Hall, P.O. Box 5190, Kent State University, Kent,
OH, 44242-0001, USA. Tel.: +1 330 672 5798; Fax: +1 330 672 2512; E-mail:
cvierstr@kent.edu
Abstract: Information from the Integrated Mission System of the United States
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was used to investigate the
employment discrimination experiences of Americans with multiple chemical
sensitivity (MCS) in comparison to Americans in a general disability group with
allergies, asthma, HIV, gastrointestinal impairment, cumulative trauma disorder
and tuberculosis. Specifically, the researchers examined demographic
characteristics of the charging parties; the industry designation, location,
and size of employers against whom allegations were filed; the nature of
discrimination (i.e., type of adverse action) alleged to occur; and the legal
outcomes or resolutions of these allegations. Findings indicate that persons
with MCS were, on average, older than the comparison group and comparatively
overrepresented by Caucasians and women. People with MCS were proportionally
more likely than the comparison group to allege discrimination related to
reasonable accommodations. People with MCS were proportionally more likely than
the comparison group to file allegations against employers in the manufacturing
and public administration industries, employers with 201–500 workers, and
employers in the Western Census region. People with MCS were proportionally
more likely than the comparison group to receive non-merit resolutions as a
result of the EEOC's Americans with Disabilities Act Title I investigatory
process. Implications for policy and advocacy are addressed.
