What are Epilepsy and Migraines?
Epilepsy and migraines are two separate conditions that affect the brain. However, both are typically chronic and require special management to prevent damage. In many cases, the person with the condition adapts their lifestyle to manage the condition.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder that can result in multiple types of seizures, which are bursts of abnormal activity in the brain. There are over 30 types of seizures recognized today, all with slightly different symptoms. Epilepsy can result in long-term brain changes. For many people, antiepileptic medications provide the basis of treatment.
Migraines, on the other hand, are recurring headaches that usually evoke significant pain. Migraines are not a well-defined condition, but ongoing research suggests that chronic migraine occurrence can cause long-term side effects.
Referring to People with Epilepsy or Migraines
As with many conditions, it’s best to ask how someone prefers to be referred to. However, person-first language is a slightly more typical choice than identity-first, even though both conditions affect the brain.
Creating an Accessible Environment for People with Epilepsy or Migraines
Understand Environmental Control Choices
Many people with epilepsy or migraines choose to control aspects of their environment. These choices may include adaptive equipment (i.e., earplugs or sunglasses), selective attendance, or precise seating choices.
Some environmental control choices, such as sunglasses indoors, have been historically stigmatized. There is no reason behind these, and doing so only serves to alienate people who enjoy the same things we do.
Mindfulness of Common Triggers
While popular culture is not often a good reference for understanding medical conditions, it has demonstrated a number of common triggers for people with epilepsy or migraines. For example, most people have picked up not to use strobe lights around people with epilepsy.
Common triggers for epileptic seizures or migraines include light, sound, smell, temperature, and stress. While it is often impractical to provide the “perfect” environment (since one doesn’t exist), letting people know if a common trigger may be present with the invitation allows for informed decisions.
Label Foods
Food, or more specifically, certain ingredients, can cause problems for people with epilepsy or migraine. Individual sensitivity varies significantly, however. If your event involves catered or potluck food, requesting everyone label the ingredients used allows for more informed choices.
Offer Recordings or Agendas
People with epilepsy or migraine may not be able to attend all the activities they want to. They can still participate even when they cannot come to events by providing a smartphone recording or detailed agenda.
Build in Recovery Space
For extended activities such as conferences or longer activities, a low-sensory recovery space can be beneficial. These spaces can be as simple as tents or as complex as separate rooms. The goal is to provide a quiet space featuring minimal lighting and noise as a reset zone.
Feel like this guide is missing something? Let us know at sfcoa@sfi.org.
Want to know more about accessible communication? Check out Accessible Communication 101.