Public Education

Image of two people at an Epilepsy Toronto information booth at an event.

ABOUT

Public education is the key to overcoming the stigma surrounding epilepsy. Epilepsy Toronto is committed to building partnerships and working collaboratively with communities to promote a better understanding of epilepsy and seizure first aid.

Together, we can build public awareness about epilepsy and make our communities a safer and more inclusive space for people living with epilepsy and seizure disorders.

SERVICES

We offer educational presentations, training workshops, and information booths to promote a better understanding of epilepsy and seizure first aid across our city. From professional training for service providers to educational presentations for children, we can adapt our presentations to suit a variety of audiences, including but not limited to:

  • Healthcare professionals
  • Service providers
  • First responders
  • Teachers and staff
  • Students from JK to University
  • Corporate groups
  • Community agencies and health centers

REQUEST A PRESENTATION

We will connect with you, learn about your needs and tailor a presentation for your audience. We will also have clients share their story living with epilepsy at the presentation. After the session, you will receive the PowerPoint slides, relevant resources, and an evaluation. Please complete this presentation booking request form if interested in an epilepsy session.

To request an Epilepsy Information Booth at a community event please contact our office at 416 964-9095 or [email protected]

Children can also learn about epilepsy through our Teaching Awareness Through Puppetry (TAP) workshops.

THE FUNDAMENTALS

Epilepsy Fundamentals presentations are facilitated either in person, virtual or through teleconference and cover the topics outlined below:

  • Myths & misconceptions
  • Difference between seizures and epilepsy
  • Triggers
  • Types of seizures
  • Seizure first aid
  • Treatment
  • Accommodations
  • Epilepsy Toronto services
  • Client Stories

DIVERSITY OUTREACH

We recognize that our public education efforts must reach the diverse communities across Toronto and reflect their needs. We connect with these communities to empower them to advocate for themselves and educate each other about epilepsy and seizure first aid. We accomplish this through building community partnerships and presenting at community events and organizations. Those include but are not limited to:

  • Native Child and Family Services
  • Community health centres and health fairs
  • Seniors’ groups with interpretation
  • Places of worship
  • Newcomers’ centres

TESTIMONIALS

“I just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to work with our teachers and educate them on how to best handle a first aid situation for seizures. So many have reached out to me after your workshop to tell me how invaluable it was. Member stories were also very helpful: what they experienced, stigma, what service providers can do better.”

– University faculty member

“One of the participants from your epilepsy workshop had a customer experience a seizure shortly after your session. Your training may have saved her life. She was able to clear the area, protect her head, make sure no one put anything in her mouth, and talked calmly to her. If not for your training, people would have been in a state of chaos. We are so thankful for you all.”

– Church member