Around 87 people are diagnosed with epilepsy every day (Epilepsy Society) – so let’s keep raising awareness about the condition 👊
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Purple Day: A day in which people are encouraged to raise more awareness about epilepsy and share information & support to not only help organisations and people already living with the condition, but to also help families & people who have only recently been diagnosed with epilepsy.
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What is Epilepsy?
“Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.”
The National Health Service (NHS)
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Epilepsy & the Access Card
Here at The Access Card, we support many cardholders to help them discreetly communicate the barriers they might face when out and about or visiting shows, events, or tourist destinations and have provided some more information about some of the typical access requirements we have processed.
Everyone is different and experiences their needs in different ways, but here are some examples based on our experience.
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Essential Companions
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For those that require a substantial amount of support from another person when out & about, we have the ‘+1’ symbol which indicates to providers that you would need a substantial amount of support to be able to access their facilities.
Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.
For example, Chessington World of Adventures Resort accepts Access Cards with the ‘+1’ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket.
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Level Access
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People with epilepsy may have difficulty with sitting/standing amongst a large amount of people, especially if tightly-packed. Not only does the ‘Level Access’ indicate that you would perhaps have difficulty with steps, but also that you may benefit from accessing the wheelchair platform to ensure that you have more space around you, especially in case of a seizure.
Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.
For example, the Rize Festival offers a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform and accessible camping facilities. These facilities may be useful for people with epilepsy who have difficulties with being in tight, crowded spaces, especially at concerts & festivals. For more information about these facilities, please visit the festival’s website.
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Additional Access Requirements
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The ‘Additional Access Requirements’ symbol is used to indicate that you have additional access requirements that haven’t already been covered by the other symbols & you can communicate these access requirements with different venues & attractions.
A lot of venues & attractions will include additional information about their events/services on their website. This may include information about the use of strobe lighting & smoke machines during performances, which can be an issue for people with epilepsy. Please refer to each venue’s website for this information.
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Thinking of applying for a Card?
If you think the above would be useful for you and would like to apply for your Access Card you can do so quickly and easily by completing our short online application form and uploading some supporting information confirming your needs.
All applications received from people with epilepsy during Purple Day 2021 can use the discount code ‘purpleday21’ to get £5 off a three-year Access Card.
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Further Sources of Information, Advice, and Support
Check out our full directory for how these symbols apply at over 1,000 venues in the UK and beyond.
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Epilepsy Society
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“We set out to make a difference to every person affected by epilepsy whatever their background, however seriously it affects them, and whether they have the condition themselves or are close to someone with epilepsy.
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life of people affected by epilepsy by promoting public awareness and education, by undertaking research and by delivering specialist medical care and support services.”
Epilepsy Society
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Tel: 01494 601300
Web: https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/
Email: enquiries@epilepsysociety.org.uk
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Epilepsy Action
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“Epilepsy Action is a community of people committed to a better life for everyone affected by epilepsy.
We want high-quality, accessible epilepsy healthcare services so that people with epilepsy have the support they need to manage their condition.
We want wider awareness and understanding of epilepsy so that people living with the condition are treated with fairness and respect.”
Epilepsy Action
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Tel: 0808 800 5050 / Text 0747 963 8071
Web: https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Email: helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
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