I understand that every person’s experience with epilepsy is unique, and with over 32,000 people in Wales having the condition, it is vital that the proper accommodations are made and public misconceptions and knowledge gaps are tackled.
In Wales, England and Scotland, the Equalities Act means that it is against the law for schools to discriminate against someone because they have a disability. Epilepsy is classified as a disability when it has a substantial and long-term effect on someone's day-to-day activities, or it would if they were not on treatment.
Welsh schools have a legal obligation to ensure that all pupils have full access to education. It is their duty to support their students and remove any barriers so that they can have the same educational experience as their peers who do not suffer from epilepsy. It is vitally important that the Welsh Government ensures that accommodations are made for pupils with epilepsy so that they are not disadvantaged.
My colleague Tom Giffard MS will write to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, in his capacity as Shadow Minister for Education, to push for guidance for schools on IHPs to be strengthened.
I thank you again for taking the time to contact me.