Your Legal Rights

These fact sheets address the legal rights of persons with epilepsy and include summaries of key federal disability rights laws.

Individuals experiencing discrimination based on their epilepsy should consider using the appropriate fact sheet(s) as an advocacy tool.

Fact sheets are available for download in PDF format.

Epilepsy: Legal Rights, Legal Issues(PDF)
This resource generally discusses a variety of legal issues on subjects relevant to people with epilepsy, including employment, driver licensing, education, insurance and the availability of federal disability benefits. See the fact sheets below for more detailed discussion of these and other issues.

» ADA Amendments Act

• The Impact of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) on the Employment Rights of Persons with Epilepsy(3 page analysis)
  
  
• Impact of ADAAA on Persons with Epilepsy(short summary)
  

» Employment

Advocates’ Guidance on Reasonable Accommodations
Analysis of employers’ obligations under the ADA to make workplace adjustments to enable qualified workers with epilepsy to successfully perform their jobs (chapter from manual on employment discrimination being developed by Legal Defense Fund).

EEOC complaints
Guidance on filing a charge of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which investigates allegations of employment discrimination, covered under the Americans with Disabilities (ADA), against persons with disabilities.

Workplace accommodations
Information on the obligation of employers under the ADA to provide accommodations (such as modifying certain job duties) for employees and applicants with epilepsy.

Attendance
Guidance on the right to take leave from work based on medical reasons under the ADA and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Federal Employees
Information on the rights of people with disabilities who are employed by federal agencies and on special procedures for filing complaints.

Medical Inquiries by Employers
Discusses restrictions imposed by the ADA regarding the use of medical examinations or inquiries.

Safety-Sensitive Jobs
Specialized information regarding jobs where safety is a primary concern such as firefighter, police officer, and construction worker.

» Education

Education and Day Care: Advocating for Your Child(PDF)
Parents of children with epilepsy may face a variety of barriers as they look for child care and appropriate educational services. This new resource addresses child care obligations under federal anti-discrimination law; issues with infants and toddlers; and a description of the laws within a school setting.


Legal Rights of Children with Epilepsy in School & Child Care: An Advocate's Manual(PDF)

This manual provides detailed practical guidance to help parents and non-attorney advocates understand the rights of children in these areas—and to effectively advocate to secure those rights. Topics covered include the special education process for children with epilepsy, the obligation of schools and child care centers to administer medication and provide other accommodations and methods to resolve disputes. Lawyers will find this manual very useful in representing their clients.

Rights of Students K-12
Guidance regarding the accommodations and special education services to which elementary and high school students with epilepsy are entitled under federal law.

College Students
Information about the obligation of colleges and universities to provide equal opportunities to students with epilepsy.

» Family Law

Child Custody
Guidance on child custody rights for parents with epilepsy.

» Public Benefits

Federal benefits
Discusses eligibility and application requirements for federal benefits programs, including Social Security Disability, Medicare and Medicaid.

» Insurance

Maintaining Employer-Provided Group Health Insurance After Coverage Terminates
Guidance on federal laws that allow coverage extension

 

» Public Accommodations and Government Services

Public Accommodations
Guidance on the obligations of businesses and non-profits (including retail stores, child care providers and theatres) to serve persons with epilepsy in a non-discriminatory manner.

State and Local Government
Discusses protections against discrimination by government-run programs such as police, recreational programs and social service agencies.

» Criminal Justice

Arrest for Seizure-Related Behavior
Information for those who have faced arrest or criminal charges due to seizure-related behavior (which is sometimes misinterpreted as aggression or voluntary “criminal” conduct).