Recognising light-disability

Some sufferers have such severe physical reactions to LED lighting that they must avoid even minimal exposure. As LED lighting spreads, they become unable to access much of normal life, including places of employment, recreation, worship, education and healthcare, and in some cases, even the streets around their homes. In effect, they live in permanent lockdown. The devastating social exclusion which results can have serious consequences for their mental and physical health.

Because the adverse impact on their day-to-day life is both extreme and long-lasting, it reaches the legal threshold to count as a disability under the Equality Act. This means that employers and service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to help light disabled people, and public bodies should consider the impact of policies on light disabled people as part of the Public Sector Equality Duty.

There are already examples of good practice. Local Authorities have left areas of sodium street lights around the homes of light disabled people. Some hospitals switch off lights in consulting rooms and provide light disabled patients with alternative waiting areas. Community groups have allowed light disabled people to bring their own lights so they can take part in social activities. But awareness remains patchy.

LightAware is campaigning to raise the profile of light disability and for light disability to be included alongside other disabilities in all official accessibility guidance and training.

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