A National Voice for Change
Advocacy
Epilepsy Action Australia is the leading epilepsy advocacy organisation in this country. Not only do we advocate for individuals with epilepsy at some level every week, but on a larger scale, we represent the interests of people living with epilepsy by advocating and lobbying Australian Government. This is primarily for improvements for people with epilepsy in the areas of education, health, employment, transport, discrimination and other issues of national concern.
We focus on two main areas:
- Addressing and providing solutions for national issues that are raised by individual people with epilepsy or their families
- Identifying the needs of, and working towards improvements in the quality of life for people living with epilepsy and their families.
Epilepsy Action Australia has established relationships with the Australian Government, its departments, other health and disability peak bodies, to advocate on issues such as increased funding for research and services; better access to pharmaceuticals; the therapeutic use of cannabis based products; driver’s license standards; and discrimination in the workplace or in everyday life.
Significant activities we have been involved in include:
- Submission to the Australian Senate inquiry into the issues related to perimenopause and menopause and epilepsy (2024).
- Austroads: Assessing Fitness to Drive contribution to review document of Australian Licensing Guidelines (2021).
- NDIS regarding the impact of the proposed Independent Access Scheme on people with epilepsy (2020).
- Submission to the Community Affairs Reference Committee : Inquiry into current barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia (2020)
- Feedback on the Epilepsy Practice Alert via the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website.
- NSW Legislative Council General Purpose Standing Committee No 3: Inquiry into the provision of education to students with a disability or special needs (2017).
- Submission to Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling: Prosed amendments to the Poisons Standard: Cannabis and cannabinoids (2016)
- Senate Education and Employment References Committee: Inquiry into current levels of access and attainment for students with disability in the school system (2015).
- Submission to the Senate Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee Review of the Regulator of Medicinal Cannabis Act 2014 (2015)
- NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues: Inquiry into services provided for or funded by the Department of Aging, Disability and Home Care (2010).
- Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Inquiry into the implementation, performance and governance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Planning (2019)
- RTA School Zone Alert System: The Potential Risk to People with Photosensitive Epilepsy (2007).
- Submission & Round Table discussion and presentation to NT Government regarding disability, transport and mobility allowance (2005).
- Members of the Australian Advisory Council on the Medicinal Use of Cannabis
- Steering Committee for NSW Government clinical trials in paediatric epilepsy.
- Associate Chapter of the International Bureau of Epilepsy.
If you would like any further details, please contact us on epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au
We actively participate and contribute to Federal and State Parliamentary Inquiries, Australian Human Rights Commission and National Disability Insurance Scheme consultations.
If there is an issue or topic related to living with epilepsy that you think requires action please contact us on 1300 37 45 37 (1300 EPILEPSY) or epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au
We make sure that the voices of those with epilepsy are being heard by policy makers, health providers, employers, the media and the general community to address prejudice and misunderstanding and make a positive change.
Consultancy
Epilepsy Action Australia provides a consultancy service to businesses and organisations that provide services to or work with people living with epilepsy.
This may take the form of review of epilepsy related policies and procedures, advice on accessing relevant products and services to support people living with epilepsy and provision of work place accommodation.
Contact Epilepsy Action Australia today to discuss your needs on 1300 37 45 37 (1300 EPILEPSY) or epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au
