The Epilepsy Foundation and disability groups reached a significant milestone October 4, 2007, with the announcement that 218 Representatives, a majority of the House of Representatives, have cosponsored HR 3195, the ADA Restoration Act of 2007.

Over the past 17 years, the courts have narrowed the definition of disability so much that people with epilepsy and other conditions who manage their disabilities with medication or other forms of treatment are viewed as “too functional” to have a disability. While these same people may be denied a job or fired because an employer mistakenly believes they cannot perform the job, they are still denied the ADA’s protection from employment discrimination. The ADA Restoration Act was brought forward to return the protection the ADA originally provided: to prevent wrongful and unlawful discrimination to all people with disabilities.

The Epilepsy Foundation responded in full force to seek co-sponsors for the ADA Restoration Act of 2007. And what a response! We would now like to take the opportunity to thank all of the Representatives who supported this bill. Many of these legislators are from the Chicago area—including Jerry Costello, Danny Davis, Rahm Emauel, Mark Kirk, Ray LaHood, Peter Roskam, Bobby Rush, and Jan Schakowsky. It is important that they know how significant their support of the ADA Restoration Act is... You can take action by sending a co-sponsoring Representative a thank-you email to let them know how important this is to the epilepsy community.