ADA Amendments Signed into Law
Restores Rights of Persons with Epilepsy

Based on a series of Supreme Court decisions, which severely narrowed the scope of coverage under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), most individuals with epilepsy (and some other chronic conditions) lost their protection against discrimination in employment. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decisions, other courts around the county have ruled that people with epilepsy and certain other conditions, which are controlled by medication or other measures, are not considered to have a disability under the ADA because they are too functional. On September 25, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). This law restores the right ofpeople with epilepsy to be protected under the ADA and to be treated fairly by employers. Learn More>>

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio serves residents of the following eleven counties in Western Ohio: Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby.

Mission

The Epilepsy Foundation will ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.

Vision

We are committed to helping create an environment where there is no stigma or fear associated with seizure disorders; where persons affected by epilepsy have the knowledge, self esteem and support to participate in normal life experiences; and where the barriers that they face have been removed.

History

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio is an independently incorporated affiliate of the national office of the Epilepsy Foundation and an Outcome and System Partner with the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area.

It was founded as a non-profit corporation in 1974. Its creation was the culmination of efforts started by one individual, Mrs. Joan Schreck, joined by others with epilepsy, parents, and concerned citizens.

Please feel free to contact us!

Emailus or call us at (937) 233-2500 or (800) 360-3296.

Epilepsy Right to Know (HB 99 and SB 114)

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio is currently involved in advocating for the HB 99 and SB 114 known as the Epilepsy Right to Know Bill. The bill is needed to stop the practice of dangerous drug switching without notification to the patient and physician.

Drug switching occurs when pharmacists take patients off medication that is working for them and switch them to another variation of the medication, either brand to generic, brand to brand, generic to brand, or generic to generic. The small variations in these drugs can cause toxic effects and seizures in people with epilepsy who have been seizure free for years.

The Epilepsy Right to Know Bill simply requires a pharmacist to ask for written permission to make a medication change.

We need your help to lobby for this important piece of legislation. If you are a person with epilepsy, caregiver, donor or just a concerned citizen, please take action now! You can visit www.legislature.state.oh.usto find the legislators in your area and call or write to them and ask for their support.

If you do not have access to the internet, please call the Epilepsy Foundation at 937-233-2500 and we will help you find the legislators in your area. Thank you for your support!

Jeanne A. Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund

The Jeanne A. Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund has been createdby theNationalOfficeto help people with epilepsy fight discrimination. The fund helps protect the civil rights of people with epilepsy and helps refer discrimination cases to competent attorneys. Consumers can request attorney referral online and access legal fact sheets and other resources to assist with their self-advocacy efforts.

Please visit the website at www.epilepsylegal.org for more information.

Is it epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has two or more seizures without a clear cause. Some people refer to themselves as having a seizure disorder, though technically this is epilepsy.

A seizure happens when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects either part or all of the brain.

For 70 percent of people with seizures and epilepsy, the cause of their condition is unknown.

» Read the full story.

Not Another Moment Lost to Seizures