Table of Contents
Is epilepsy protected under ADA?
Individuals with epilepsy are covered under the ADA, since epilepsy is a physiological disorder affecting the neurological system. Persons with seizure disorders therefore have an impairment that substantially limits participation in a major life activity (i.e., working).
Can my employer fire me for having epilepsy?
You cannot be fired for having epilepsy. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the employment of a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
Can epilepsy be considered a disability?
Is Epilepsy Considered A Disability? Epilepsy is considered a disability and it has a listing in the Social Security Administration (SSA) Blue Book. For epilepsy to qualify for disability benefits, it must meet the criteria of the Blue Book listing. There are different listings for epilepsy in the Blue Book.
Can epilepsy prevent you from working?
Many people with epilepsy are able to work and successfully carry out their job duties. Having occasional (or even fairly frequent) seizures may make your job hunt more challenging but not impossible. The better qualified you are for a position, the better your chances of success.
How do you accommodate an employee with epilepsy?
Some employees may need one or more of the following accommodations:
- breaks to take medication.
- leave to seek or recuperate from treatment or adjust to medication.
- a private area to rest after having a seizure.
- a rubber mat or carpet to cushion a fall.
- adjustments to a work schedule.
Is having a seizure at work OSHA recordable?
Epileptic seizures are a symptom of a disease of non-occupational origin, and the fact that they occur at work does not make them work-related. Because epileptic seizures are not work-related, injuries resulting solely from the seizures, such as the broken arm in the case in question, are not recordable.
Is epilepsy a physical or mental disability?
Epilepsy is not a mental illness. In fact, the vast majority of people living with epilepsy have no cognitive or psychological problem. For the most part, psychological issues in epilepsy are limited to people with severe and uncontrolled epilepsy.
How does epilepsy affect your ability to work?
If your epilepsy is controlled, it will not significantly affect your ability to perform physical work. However, it’s obvious that you cannot perform any kind of physical work while having an epileptic seizure.
Should I disclose my epilepsy to my employer?
It is not always necessary to discuss epilepsy with a potential employer. Whether you do or not is up to you. If you have excellent seizure control and the employer does not ask any health-related questions, there’s no reason to start talking about epilepsy unless you want to.
Is a seizure a work-related injury?
Are people with epilepsy discriminated against?
‘ People with epilepsy are protected under the Equality Act 2010, which makes discrimination unlawful. This includes discrimination on the basis of disability.
How do you deal with an epileptic employee?
Adjustments that may be helpful to consider for someone with epilepsy include:
- making their workspace safer in case they have a seizure.
- avoiding lone working, so that someone else can help if they have a seizure.
- exchanging some tasks of the job with another employee’s tasks.
Is epilepsy a psychosocial disability?
What are the five neuropsychiatric conditions of epilepsy?
The most common psychiatric conditions in epilepsy are depression, anxiety, and psychoses….Frequency of psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy.
| Psychiatric Disorder | Controls | Patients With Epilepsy |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety disorder | 11.2% | 22.8% |
| Mood/anxiety disorder | 19.6% | 34.2% |
| Suicidal Ideation | 13.3% | 25.0% |
| Others | 20.7% | 35.5% |
Does epilepsy affect mental health?
The types of behavioral problems associated with epilepsy include attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, aggression, and autism spectrum disorder. Early identification and treatment of behavioral problems provides the best possible outcome.
Does Keppra make people angry?
Keppra may also cause aggression, anxiety, depression, and irritability. Keppra may cause drowsiness or coordination difficulties and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcohol. Talk to your doctor immediately if you develop a rash or any other worrying side effects while taking Keppra.
Is epilepsy a disability under the ADA?
An individualized assessment of nearly every person who experiences epilepsy will find them being defined as a, person with a disability, under the ADA according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). A brain disorder in which a person has repeated seizures (convulsions) over time.
Can an employer provide accommodation for an employee with epilepsy?
If an accommodation is available that would enable an employee with epilepsy to perform a function that most employees would perform by driving, then the employer must provide the accommodation, absent undue hardship.
What are reasonable accommodations under ADA?
ACCOMMODATING EMPLOYEES WITH EPILEPSY The ADA requires employers to provide adjustments or modifications — called reasonable accommodations — to enable applicants and employees with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities unless doing so would be an undue hardship (that is, a significant difficulty or expense).
What do you need to know about epilepsy in the workplace?
Epilepsy in the Workplace and the ADA 1 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT EPILEPSY. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. 2 OBTAINING, USING, AND DISCLOSING MEDICAL INFORMATION. 3 ACCOMMODATING EMPLOYEES WITH EPILEPSY. 4 CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY.