ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) offers advocacy for members with their employers and colleagues. Does your employer require information on ME/CFS in order to understand your situation? Please call the office on (03) 9791 3100 to see how we can help you.

ME/CFS Disability Scale

It is useful for you doctor to measure your level of activity and ability to function with a simple instrument on every visit - the ME/CFS (or CFIDS) Disability Scale. The ME/CFS Disability Scale assists in documenting improvements or otherwise in the condition and the effects of medications, as well as provding a useful marker for long-term changes. It may also serve as a key reference should your doctor need to write a medical history or supporting letter for disability benefit claims.

In marking your score on the scale, it is important to document as accurately as possible the severity of symptoms, the degree of activity impairment with both activity and rest, and the functional ability regarding full time work. The principle behind the ME/CFS Disability Scale is that the severity of symptoms is related to exertion - physical and mental.

The concept that severity of symptoms is related to exertion is not one necessarily understood by many doctors, Centrelink representatives, insurance companies and employers. As Dr. Bell remarks in his book, these people are more likely to subscribe to the understanding that 'when you are sick, you're sick', not 'when you work, you're sick'.

A copy of the scale is available on the website of the CFIDS Association of America, here.

Source: Adapted from Bell, D S (1994) 'The doctors guide to chronic fatigue syndrome: Understanding, treating and living with CFIDS', Addison-Wesley, USA. (Page 123).

Employment Assistance

Wanting to get back to part-time work that is within your energy levels? Wesley Employment Services may be able to help, with the Wesley Willing and Able Mentoring Program.

The Willing & Able Mentoring (WAM) Program has been developed to provide a student or job seeker who has a disability with the opportunity to showcase their talents and gather essential information and experience for that vital transition. The WAM program is designed to train and match selected students/job seekers with mentors in career areas relevant to each person's aspirations. Phone 9687 9616; or Footscray 9687 0033, Preston 94168 699, or Broadmeadows 9416 8699 for more information.

Job Supply Personnel (Prahran Mission) is a specialist employment service that assists people affected by illness or disabilities to gain suitable paid work, full-time, part-time or flexible hours. We service the inner south and south eastern suburbs of Melbourne.  Call (03) 9692 9400. For further information, please click here.

Work-Related Legal Information

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are able to provide legal assistance for people with ME/CFS. In their 2009 'Stopping or stopped work because of a disability' brochure, they encourage people to call 1800 196 050 to speak to a superannuation, insurance and employment law expert for free advice on your rights and entitlements if any of the following applies to you:

• If you have already stopped work because of a disability;
• If you are thinking of stopping work because of a disability;
• If you want to change your work hours or duties because of a disability;
• If you are worried your employer might sack you;
• If you have been offered or might be offered a redundancy; or
• If you are thinking of returning to work.

Many people with a disability experience discrimination because of their disability. Disability discrimination is unlawful under the state and federal laws of Australia. If you experience discrimination, the law may be able to help you. See this booklet on Using Disability Discrimination Law for more information.

The law is changing all the time. To check for changes on disability discrimination law, see the Legal Aid website for information.

ME/CFS researcher Geoffrey Hallman has kindly a produced a short article on ME/CFS, insurance and superannuation to help people identify their entitlements. The article is available to download here.

WorkWelfareWills is a plain English web guide developed by the Chronic Illness Alliance to legal issues around health and life changes. It was produced for use in Victoria only as some of the laws will be different in other states of Australia.

Workplace Support

For business owners, the Victorian Government provides support and information for those with a critical illness with their Illness and Business Management Plan. The plan guides business owners through questions such as how to inform staff, appointing Power of Attorney, deciding what to do with the business and accessing support from a range of organisations.