Proposed Disability Parking Scheme Discriminates Against Invisible Disabilities

Proposed Disability Parking Scheme Discriminates Against Invisible Disabilities

The Australian Government's proposed Australian Disability Parking Scheme discriminates against people who suffer from invisible disabilities. Patients who suffer from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME/CFS), as well as Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis and many other invisible disabilities will be disadvantaged by the proposed scheme. The ME/CFS Society of NSW strongly urges the Government to consider the proposed scheme more carefully before making any final decisions.

The new scheme seeks to create a nationally consistent system for disabled parking permits. Its criteria apply only to people who use a wheelchair, who use a mobility aid or who require the physical assistance of another person. Walking sticks are specifically excluded from the criteria, and people with chronic or invisible illnesses are not mentioned at all. This is in contravention of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, which defines an aid as any piece of equipment that provides assistance to alleviate the effect of a disability. It defines disability as including illness as well as physical disability. The Society believes these groups both deserve equal access to the scheme as they can both be affected by walking long distances.

"We are concerned that under the proposed scheme people with invisible illnesses like ME/CFS and a host of others will be denied parking permits because they don't 'look sick enough'," said Elizabeth Ho, Vice President of the ME/CFS Society of NSW. "I can't just unzip my body to show my autoimmune system, brain or spinal cord to show someone that there is something wrong with me. I will be discriminated against. If the proposed scheme goes ahead, I will not be able to do my shopping, go to university or fully engage in society because I cannot use public transport due to my illness," she said.

Submissions on the proposed scheme are being accepted by the Government until the end of July, 2009. Ms Ho urges all people who suffer from an invisible illness or disability, and their family and friends, to make a submission and express their concerns over the narrowness of the scheme. The Discussion Paper can be obtained by visiting http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/people/disability_parking_scheme or calling 1800 630 740.

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The ME/CFS Society of NSW Inc. is a registered charity that aims to provide information and support to all who are affected by ME/CFS, FM, and any related illnesses, and to promote accurate awareness within medical and scientific communities and the wider public. The Society can be contacted on (02) 9904 8433 or via the website www.me-cfs.org.au.

Further information:
Elizabeth Ho, Vice President
(02) 9440 4017
(0415) 504478
[email protected]


SOURCE: ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society of NSW Inc