Human Rights

All people who live with a disability or chronic health conditions have the right to be an active member of society and a say in decisions that affect their lives.

Epilepsy and disability can intersect in a number of ways. Some people living with epilepsy also live with a co-existing disability, such as a cognitive or physical one. In other cases a person is considered to have a recognised disability because their epilepsy is not controlled, despite being on anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).  

You may have an epilepsy diagnosis, but you may not consider that you have a disability. However, under the discrimination law framework, the definition of disability is stated broadly. Having an epilepsy diagnosis would be considered a disability in the context of discrimination law, as would other chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and arthritis.

Fortunately the rights of people are enshrined in a range of international, Australian and state-based Acts and Conventions:

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 clarifies the obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and provides students and prospective students with a disability the right to education and training opportunities on the same basis as students without a disability.

To learn more about disability and human rights visit the Australian Human Rights Commission.

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