Additional support for learning: sensory-inclusive learning environments - guidance

9. Light

Providing appropriate lighting and minimising glare are key factors in achieving sensory comfort, enabling lip reading and navigating with low vision. This section explores both daylight and artificial light, glare and shade and how to create the right lighting for different circumstances or activities. This includes seeing detail in presentations, when lipreading or watching a sign language interpreter. The viewing angle and the background it is seen against is critical and lighting and glare are significant considerations. Everyone can experience glare to varying degrees, from discomfort to complete visual disturbance known as disabling glare. This can be caused by direct exposure to bright sunlight or exposed light fittings, and also indirect reflection off shiny surfaces.

(section 10 focuses on the visual qualities of surfaces and finishes including how these interact with light and the potential to contribute to visual disturbance and sensory overload).

9.1 Lighting type and adjustability

Different activities require different types of lighting and individuals also have different responses to light. For some activities it will be appropriate to have a consistent light level across the whole area but sometimes it is more helpful to have a few areas brighter than others depending on activities and circumstances as well as individual needs. For example, many children are sensitive to bright artificial lighting, especially cooler, bluer tones which may often help people with sight loss conditions to maximise their visual acuity. Warmer white lighting (3000 Kelvins and below) feels less intensive even at the same brightness level so is often favoured by hypersensitive individuals. The lighting level that is required for reading and writing on paper will be very different to what is comfortable when working on a backlit computer screen. The potential to adjust the brightness and colour temperature of lighting is helpful in ensuring everyone has visual comfort.

Full spectrum LED indirect or adjustable direction lamps (typically directing light up onto the ceiling first) removes the risk of dazzling or startling building users from the direct light source. Dimmer switches can be helpful but with caution about their specification, to avoid flicker or buzz. Having different types of lighting within a learning environment enables staff to provide a variety of settings, from brighter lighting for artwork and focus work alongside lower levels in a calming quiet corner, or pockets of softer lighting for some learners.

9.2 Flicker

LED lamps are preferred for energy efficiency but these need careful design and specification in order to provide flicker-free light, especially when dimmers are fitted. Many people who experience visual hypersensitivity are highly affected by flicker, even when it is not readily apparent to them. Flicker can also be an issue for a wide spectrum of users, causing headaches and eyestrain, so carefully designed LED lighting is important.

9.3 Adjustments to existing buildings

For existing buildings not undergoing any refurbishment or new lighting installation, it may be possible to turn off the main lights for some activities and use local power sockets to add floor or task lamps for different types of light quality for task work, (taking care that cables do not create any trip hazards).

9.4 Daylight and windows

It is usually very beneficial for people to see views of nature outside; this is calming and rests the eyes providing there is not too much distracting activity. Flexible solutions for addressing direct sunlight, glare or distractions through glazing are possible without making the entire space devoid of daylight.

9.5 Blinds and curtains

The following considerations may be helpful:

• Choose plain soft whites, muted or pastel colours. Colours that are plentiful in nature such as greens and blues, are more restful;
• Some patterns may be acceptable, for example low contrast fractal patterns such as a gentle outline of trees, but caution is needed as even with patterns occurring in nature, some people will be distracted and become fixated on checking the repetition within the pattern. Horizontal or vertical stripey patterns are to be avoided;
• A translucent blind that allows some light in can be helpful – for example giving the outline of trees and plants outside, but not a view to other activity;
• All blinds will need suitably secured mechanisms;
• Slatted blinds should be avoided as they often allow slivers of bright light through, and create patterns on other surfaces, both can be visually disturbing. For slatted blinds in place already, using the blind when the slats are fully closed will reduce striped light patterns;
• Sometimes it will be sufficient for a blind to be pulled partially down or across to protect users from sunlight entering the window, thereby maintaining a view out through the exposed part of the window;
• There can be a benefit to having both black-out and translucent blind options on some windows. One solution is to fit two separate blinds, but there are also double roller blinds that have both a translucent and a black-out option within the same blind.

9.6 Glazing film

Glazing film (manifestation) can be used for multiple purposes, such as solar control, shading, diffusion of light, signage and information, and safety warning of the presence of glass.

Glazing film can be applied for a more fixed solution for glare to all or part of a window. There are different levels of film density that can be used, and this type of film is usually very easy to remove without damaging the glass if circumstances change. Linear and busy patterns should be avoided as these can cause visual disturbance.

Note:

Glazing manifestation is a regulatory safety requirement on full height glazing and should be considered by appropriately qualified consultants in relation to relevant technical standards.An additional lower band of manifestation is beneficial on glazing that extends to floor level where small children will be present.

Clarity

Comfortable ambient light levels for movement and wayfinding without glare.

Choice

Adjustability in both lighting brightness (dimming, on/ off) and colour temperature control. Window treatments to control daylight.

Calm

Warm colour temperature, flicker free lighting to some areas with adjustable brightness and black out blind options.

Resources:

PAS6463 section 10 Light, Lighting and Reflection. See PAS6463 5.5.1 Window treatments