Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund
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Our Mission
- To end epilepsy-related discrimination and injustice through education and increased access to legal services for individuals with epilepsy -- through a system of managed referrals and legal support to a nationwide network of attorneys committed to this cause.
- To advance the rights of people with epilepsy by changing discriminatory practices, policies and laws.
Over the past few decades, great strides have been made in diagnosing and treating epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures. Despite these advances, epilepsy continues to evoke negative stereotypes, fear and discrimination.
- In Virginia, a man was arrested for trespassing and was prohibited from visiting a retail store after having a seizure while picking up his epilepsy-related medicines at the store's pharmacy.
- In Tennessee, a college student was told he could not attend classes because of his epilepsy and was told instead to take classes via the Internet.
- In Texas, a woman with epilepsy lost her job after disclosing she has epilepsy on insurance forms provided by her employer.
- In New Jersey, a man with epilepsy died after police, responding to a request for medical assistance, allegedly used excessive force to restrain the man while he was having a seizure.
- In California, a preschool refused to administer life-saving medicine on an as needed basis to a child with epilepsy.
Other people have had their parental rights terminated, been denied housing and have even been arrested for behavior related to their epilepsy. This discrimination persists despite federal and state civil rights laws that make discrimination on the basis of disability illegal.
The Jeanne A. Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund has been created to help people with epilepsy fight this discrimination. Make a Donation to the Fund.
Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund Newsletter
- Epilepsy Foundation Support Access to Medication for California Students
- For-Profit College Alternatives
- Cooperating Attorney Profile
- The Advocates' Corner
- Discrimination Cases
Read the newsletter (PDF).
