Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PWN4PWN and TSA Partner to Launch Toolkit Supporting Travelers with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy — First Step in Larger Accessibility Roadmap
Tampa, FL – September 15, 2025 — PWN4PWN Corp, a patient-led nonprofit, today announced a historic collaboration with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to launch the TSA Toolkit for Traveling with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy, the first nationwide initiative designed to equip airport staff with practical guidance and compassionate awareness for supporting travelers with neurological sleep disorders.
This milestone emerged after a June 2025 incident when a PWN4PWN volunteer returning from the SLEEP 2025 conference experienced a cataplexy episode during airport screening. The event underscored the urgent need for greater awareness and resources to prevent misinterpretation and ensure traveler safety.
The toolkit, developed with input from TSA Cares, will be distributed across all U.S. airports beginning September 15, 2025. To support awareness, PWN4PWN’s Napchat Webinar Series this December will include a dedicated session on TSA disability support programs, including TSA Cares and Passenger Support Specialists.
What’s Inside the Toolkit
Cataplexy, a sudden, temporary loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions, is a hallmark symptom of Narcolepsy Type 1. During an episode, individuals remain fully conscious but may be unable to move or speak—often misinterpreted as intoxication or non-compliance.
The toolkit provides:
✅ Clear explanations of narcolepsy and cataplexy symptoms
✅ Guidance on how airport staff should respond (and what not to do)
✅ Practical steps for safe, respectful interactions
✅ Resources for TSA’s existing disability support, including TSA Cares and Passenger Support Specialists
Building a Patient-Centered Accessibility Roadmap
The TSA Toolkit is the first release under PWN4PWN’s newly renamed Patient Toolkit Program, which will expand to cover other hidden and neurological disabilities. Planned initiatives include:
- ADA Toolkit (developed with Dr. Andrew Colsky, psychiatrist and former ADA lawyer) to help patients navigate workplace, school, and travel accommodations.
- Integration with the Sunflower Lanyard system, combined with PWN4PWN’s Cataplexy Medical Info Cards for travelers seeking added visibility and support.
- Expanded TSA education, with PWN4PWN engaging in ongoing collaboration and public sessions such as the Napchat Webinar Series to increase disability awareness.
- Digital self-advocacy tools, including QR code stickers that let patients discreetly share medical or accommodation information.
The Patient Toolkit Program will be available inside the Napchat Digital Community, while public-facing education will continue through the Napchat Webinar Series, where TSA will be featured this December.
“Air travel should be safe and accessible for everyone,” said Jane E. Powell, CEO & Executive Director of PWN4PWN. “This toolkit is just the beginning. Our Patient Toolkit Program lays out a roadmap for empowering patients to advocate for themselves, while educating institutions like TSA to respond with empathy and respect.”
The TSA Toolkit rollout represents a significant step toward building airports that are prepared, informed, and inclusive for travelers with hidden disabilities, today and in the future.
About PWN4PWN
PWN4PWN is a patient-led nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia through education, advocacy, and peer support. Its initiatives; including the Patient Toolkit Program, Napchat Digital Community, Napchat Webinar Series, Health & Wellness 360, the JOBS Project, and the N & IH Registry—advance equity, wellbeing, and inclusion for the sleep disorder community worldwide.
Media Contact:
PWN4PWN Programs Team
📧 programs@pwn4pwn.org
🌐 www.pwn4pwn.org
