| The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed | | | | Steps and stairways should always have good lighting |
| into law in 1990, providing "a clear and comprehensive | | | | to prevent falls, and it should be bright enough to light |
| national mandate for the elimination of discrimination | | | | the entire staircase. For added safety, installing light |
| against individuals with disabilities." | | | | switches at the top and bottom of each staircase |
| This historic legislation allows society to benefit from | | | | ensures no one has to navigate in the dark. Rocker |
| the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities by | | | | switches also add convenience, as they can be turned |
| reducing barriers to transportation, public services and | | | | on with a nudge of the elbow if your hands are full and |
| accommodations, employment and | | | | are easier to operate by young children, people with |
| telecommunications. ADA compliance also includes | | | | disabilities and the elderly. |
| making public spaces accessible to everyone through | | | | Lighting for Security |
| universal design. | | | | Designing adequate outdoor lighting around entrances |
| For the lighting industry, the most common ADA | | | | and along pathways is important for both security and |
| requirement is for light fixtures protruding from walls. | | | | convenience. Besides eliminating the annoyance of |
| Specific installation requirements are stated in section | | | | trying to fit a key into a keyhole in dim lighting, |
| 4.4 of the ADA: "... objects projecting from walls with | | | | brightening an entrance also makes it easier to identify |
| their leading edges between 27 inches and 80 inches | | | | visitors who come to your door. |
| (2' 4" to 6' 8") above the finished floor shall protrude no | | | | Adding outdoor lighting to a pathway, driveway or yard |
| more than four inches into walks, halls, corridors, | | | | helps discourage crime, intruders and predators. In the |
| passageways or aisles." | | | | case of an emergency, it can also make it easier for |
| This requirement is usually in the specifications needed | | | | police, ambulance drivers and fire trucks to quickly find |
| for wall sconces. While ADA compliance isn't required | | | | your home. |
| for private residences, creating lighting designs that are | | | | Lighting for a Situation |
| accessible to everyone can increase safety, improve | | | | Reading lights. Night lights. Bathroom lights. No matter |
| security and make any room more useful. Accessibility | | | | what the situation, proper lighting for everyday tasks |
| is also important when designing a space that will be | | | | makes everything easier. |
| used by older adults or young children. | | | | Areas like the kitchen or workshop need plenty of light |
| Lighting for Safety | | | | for working on specific projects. For reading or |
| Good lighting design can increase safety and help | | | | working at the computer, adding a lamp with a |
| prevent accidents and injuries around the home. | | | | three-way bulb lets each family member choose the |
| Transitional areas like toe kicks on cabinets and level | | | | amount of light they want. Lighted mirrors in the |
| changes between rooms can be lit with rope lighting or | | | | bathroom are becoming popular and they give an |
| footlights to help avoid people from tripping and | | | | attractive look to the room while casting light on the |
| stumbling when moving from room to room. | | | | face for grooming and applying makeup. |