|

Lighting & design at home

Light is essential for sight. For older people and people with sight loss, good lighting at home reduces risks and increases safety, independence and quality of life. Good design can make a significant difference to the daily activities of people with sight loss.

Photo of many types of bulbsA key area of our research focuses on identifying best practice in lighting and design. This section outlines some of our key findings.

The importance of good lighting
The importance of good lighting
Small changes to lighting can make big differences to people's lives but lack of information, and caution about electrical works, can mean that practical lighting guidance is rarely provided.
 
Key features of good lighting
Key features of good lighting
Our research has identified the need for action to improve lighting in the home for people with sight loss. Simple changes to general lighting and task lighting can be very effective.
 
Lighting different rooms
Lighting different rooms
Consistent lighting levels across and between rooms reduces adaptation difficulties and makes movement around the home safer. However, different rooms will have different lighting needs.
 
New design guide
New design guide
Thomas Pocklington Trust, in association with Habinteg (the Housing Association for disabled people), has produced a design guide for developing housing for people with sight loss. The new guide was launched on 21 April 2008.
 
 
For further information on any aspect of our lighting design work, please contact the Research and Development Team.