The Fabric of our Society

The Fabric of Our Society column invites industry leaders to provide experience-based opinions and discussions on various topics. Diverse perspectives are respected and most welcome, but do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IESNYC or the Board of Managers. Want to contribute? Email [email protected]

December 2024

Advocating for Accessible Lighting 

Nicole Calise
Marketing/Spec Sales Assistant
Enterprise Lighting Sales

Preface: Though I am by no means an expert in this field, the topic is something I have become more aware of recently due to personal experiences.

As someone who has spent nearly two decades in the lighting industry, I've seen my fair share of trade shows, innovations, and lighting solutions. Yet, despite the myriad of advances and discussions I've seen, there's one topic that has been conspicuously absent: accessibility. It wasn't until I joined Enterprise Lighting Sales earlier this year that my interest in this subject suddenly grew.

The transition into my new role brought a new daily routine that includes commuting on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). During one of these morning commutes, I met a fellow traveler who has become a familiar face on the platform. Unlike me, however, my friend is blind. I enjoy making new friends and I am quick to offer assistance to anyone who might need it. This enthusiasm sparked an encounter that blossomed into friendship. Through conversations and observations with my new friend, I began to see the world a little differently.

Through our friendship, I have had the pleasure of meeting others from the blind community, even accompanying them to a show that my friend produced. Leading them through various spaces, up and down stairs, and through narrow corridors, drove home how important accessibility is.

I am repeatedly surprised at how thoughtful lighting design can transform how people with visual impairments experience and navigate their environments. I am hoping to inspire some changes needed to enhance accessibility for everyone.

We know that lighting plays a crucial role in our daily lives; but for the majority, lighting may go unnoticed or be taken for granted. For those in the blind and low-vision community, lighting can significantly impact their ability to navigate and interact with the world around them.

Not a one-size-fits-all solution

It is important to note that blindness is not a one-size-fits-all condition. There are varying degrees and types of visual impairment that affect individuals in different ways. Some may have partial vision or light perception, while others may have no light perception at all.

Since the degree of impairment can vary so widely, appropriate lighting can enhance independence, safety, and overall quality of life, allowing them to move around the built environment with greater ease and confidence. Inadequate lighting, conversely, can create barriers and obstacles that make simple tasks challenging and frustrating.

Maneuvering in public spaces such as dimly lit, bustling train stations, for instance, can present unique challenges to visually impaired individuals that require creative solutions. For instance, my friend is able to use the brighter lighting on the digital signage at specific locations on the platform as a reference point. When he reaches a certain position where the light is obstructed, he can determine his location and knows which train car he is boarding. Boarding in this area helps him to know approximately how many steps are required to reach the stairs when he exits the train car at his station.

His reliance on lighting to enhance his mobility and independence sparked a realization for me: while lighting design often focuses on aesthetics or energy efficiency, it can profoundly impact accessibility in ways that are rarely discussed.

Advocate for inclusive design

Given these challenges, the lighting industry can help the visually impaired community by designing and implementing lighting solutions that consider their unique needs and preferences. This can involve a range of factors, such as specific types of lighting fixtures, brightness levels, and color temperatures that are most beneficial for individuals with visual impairments. Advancements in smart lighting systems and assistive technologies can also provide individuals with greater control and customization over their own lighting environments. These technologies include features such as voice-activated controls, motion sensors, and color-changing capabilities.

The lighting industry occupies a unique position to make a positive impact on the visually impaired community by

1. Designing and implementing accessible lighting solutions
2. Advocating for inclusive design practices
3. Developing innovative technologies to enhance the quality of life of individuals with visual impairments.

Forging partnerships with advocacy organizations and architects who specialize in accessibility is another option. The National Institute of Building Sciences has developed comprehensive guidelines with definitions and luminance-based recommendations. These are tailored specifically for lighting designers to ensure that lighting solutions are both functional and inclusive. This approach aligns with best practices for universal design, in order to afford equal access to public spaces. These can set a precedent for future advancements in the lighting industry, as we address an aging population.

By working closely with designers, architects, and lighting industry leaders, we can help ensure that accessible lighting is considered an integral part of the overall design process. Universal design principles prioritize the needs of all individuals, regardless of their visual abilities.

Working together to create a more inclusive and accessible built environment, we can help ensure that individuals in the visually impaired community have the support and resources they need to live fulfilling and independent lives.