MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT
The Epilepsy Foundation joins other organizations and individuals across the nation to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The Epilepsy Foundation's event will be a moderated panel of expert speakers who played a role in the passing and implementation of the ADA, including former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and primary author of the ADA, Tony Coelho. The event will conclude with a question and answer session.
WHEN
Thursday, July 23, 2-3 p.m. ET
This webinar will be recorded for those unable to make the scheduled time.
WHERE
Participants must register in advance here.
CART and ASL will be provided. Please send requests for additional accommodations to [email protected].
WHO
• Tony Coelho, former U.S. Representative (CA-15), a person living with epilepsy and a long-time member of the Epilepsy Foundation's national board of directors
• Alexandra (Sandy) Finucane, Esq., Former Senior Legal Advisor, Epilepsy Foundation
• Arlene Mayerson, Esq., Directing Attorney Emerita and Of Counsel, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF)
• John L. Wodatch, Esq., former Chief, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
• Moderator Allison Nichol, Esq., Director of Legal Advocacy, Epilepsy Foundation
WHY
The ADA prohibits discrimination and guarantees the civil rights of people with disabilities. In 2008, President George W. Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act that restored the original intent of Congress and clarified the definition of "disability" to encompass episodic conditions like epilepsy. Together with the disability community, local offices, business leaders and Congress, the Epilepsy Foundation served a critical advocacy role in helping to pass the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act.
ABOUT EPILEPSY
According to the
World Health Organization, epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide with no age, racial, social class, national or geographic boundaries. The
U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.4 million people in the United States are affected by epilepsy. It is the underlying tendency of the brain to produce seizures which are sudden abnormal bursts of electrical energy that disrupt brain functions.
ABOUT THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION
With a network of nearly 50 partners throughout the United States, the Epilepsy Foundation is leading the fight to END EPILEPSY®. The Foundation connects people to treatment, support and resources; leads advocacy efforts; funds innovative research and the training of specialists; and educates the public about epilepsy and seizure first aid. For more than five decades, the Epilepsy Foundation has shone a light on epilepsy to promote awareness and understanding, and to advocate for laws that matter to people with epilepsy, while also funding $68.7 million for epilepsy research and supporting 3,091 epilepsy investigators and specialists in their early careers. To learn more call 1.800.332.1000. Follow us on
Facebook and
Twitter.
###
