2. Potential barriers and user requirements

Contents: Participation and environmental factors, recommended adaptations, strategies and aids.

Participation and environmental factors

Epilepsy can affect participation in activities, particularly where sudden seizures could lead to dangerous situations, e.g.:

• Swimming or bathing;
• Using power tools or vehicles.

Environmental factors can also present barriers:

• Flickering or flashing lights, animations or video content;
• Websites and software that do not provide a control to pause animations or videos;
• High-contrast or flashing interface elements that may trigger nausea, dizziness or seizures.

Recommended adjustments

• Avoiding content that contains more than three flashes per second or features high contrast;
• The option to pause or disable animations and videos;
• Adjustment of visual content to prevent sensory overload and photosensitive seizures.

Strategies and aids

People affected use individual strategies and technologies to promote participation and minimise risks:

• Adapting the environment to reduce hazards;
• Using quiet, easily controllable environments for screen work or interactions;
• Conscious management of sleep, stress, diet and medication;
• Use of reminder and safety systems, e.g. for monitoring during potentially risky activities.

Needs vary greatly from person to person. An individualised approach takes into account abilities, risks and personal preferences.