Advancing Awareness & System Change

Seizure Safe Schools initiatives aim to improve safety and preparedness within schools by increasing awareness of epilepsy, ensuring staff are trained to recognize seizures, and providing guidance on appropriate seizure first aid.

Expanding awareness of seizure safety in schools helps protect students living with epilepsy and creates more supportive learning environments.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

This protects students with disabilities in schools receiving federal funding.

A student with epilepsy may be allowed a service dog in school if it is part of their accommodation plan.

Increasing education about seizure recognition and first aid is an important step toward creating safer communities. Just as CPR and other first aid techniques are widely taught, expanding awareness of seizure recognition and response can help individuals feel more confident responding to a medical situation.

Promoting greater understanding in workplaces, schools, and community spaces can help improve safety and reduce fear or misunderstanding when seizures occur.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act helps ensure students with disabilities—including epilepsy—have access to reasonable accommodations that allow them to participate fully in educational environments.

Increasing awareness of these protections helps families better understand their rights and supports schools in creating inclusive environments where students living with epilepsy can succeed.

Service animals can play an important role in supporting individuals living with epilepsy, particularly seizure response and assistance dogs. Federal and state laws help ensure individuals with disabilities have the right to be accompanied by trained service animals in public spaces, workplaces, and schools.

Increasing awareness of service animal protections helps individuals better understand their rights while promoting respectful and informed interactions within communities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)- Epilepsy often intersects with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and trauma. Expanding awareness of these connections helps ensure that individuals living with epilepsy receive more comprehensive support that addresses both neurological and emotional well-being.

Advancing awareness about epilepsy also includes supporting national conversations and policy efforts that aim to improve research, education, and care for individuals living with epilepsy. Community members, researchers, clinicians, and individuals with lived experience often contribute perspectives that help shape these discussions. 

Over 120 Epilepsy Organizations Applaud the Introduction of the National Plan for Epilepsy Act in Congress

This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening national coordination around epilepsy research, education, and care. As part of the broader epilepsy community, individuals with lived experience were invited to review and provide feedback that helps ensure patient perspectives are included in conversations shaping future progress.

Access to consistent and affordable medication is critical for individuals living with epilepsy. Anti-seizure medications are often essential for seizure control, and interruptions in access can have serious health consequences.

Awareness around medication access—including the differences between brand and generic medications, insurance coverage challenges, and the cost of treatment—is an important part of improving support for individuals living with epilepsy. Expanding conversations around affordability and patient access can help ensure that individuals have reliable access to the medications they depend on.