There are many different factors that the ADA affects. The ADA, known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, is set in place to make sure that people with disabilities are given equal access and proper accommodations are set in place. It can get precise with specific regulations to make sure spaces are safe for all walks of life, and lighting is no different.
ADA regulations state that lighting fixtures must be no more than 4-inches from the wall and be mounted between 2-feet 4-inches to 6-feet 8-inches above the floor. Many fixtures now are being sold with ADA approval, and when paired with these specific guidelines, it gives the maximum amount of room for those with disabilities. This bit of information is highly crucial for the installation of lighting fixtures in public and commercial places. It allows any person(s) with or without disabilities to easily access essential parts of the building without coming into a roadblock of sorts.
Universal Design principles also have a huge helping hand in making sure ADA light fixtures can be used by all, no matter what their background may be. It also accommodates well with narrow passageways in homes like hallways or bathrooms. Bathroom space is especially important in cases of handicapable stalls that need bars installed.
The installation of ADA compliant lighting ensures that everyone can access certain areas and not be stopped by a lighting fixture, as well as have the ability to control said lighting. It’s vital that people, no matter if they are disabled, are not, can move around freely and comfortably without worrying about becoming stuck or breaking a fixture thanks to poor installation and improper fixtures.
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