Why Fluorescent lights are the bane of my existence.
I’m not too fond of fluorescent lights. To me, these are indeed one of the worst inventions of the last century. Let me explain why.
As an Autistic individual, fluorescent lights appear to flicker to me. I can see the lights strobing, making it impossible for me to read or work with or concentrate when they are around. Furthermore, fluorescent lights have a known physical effect on neurodiverse people.
For example, I get headaches, cannot focus, and burn down my resilience from fluorescent lighting. It affects my ability to function. With fluorescent lighting, it means I cannot work. As a child and teenager at school, it was why I did poorly. I couldn’t read anything under these types of lighting and constantly felt sick, and thus, missed out academically.
My experience at school in the 90s was not positive, and it wasn’t until my early 30s that I learned that ASD is sensory, and many of my challenges are due to the environment. Comprehending this is like having vision issues, then finally being given the glasses to see. I can read and learn the content went the sensory barrier is removed. By understanding my sensitivity to fluorescent light, I can manage better, which is why I am excelling in my studies.
The sensory challenges
If you ask an Autistic individual what one of the most challenging aspects of being on the spectrum is, they would probably mention sensory difficulties. Part of the condition are problems processing everyday sensory information; senses may be over-sensitive or under-sensitive. Sensitivity to sensory influence burns me down, it can trigger overload and burnout, so I need to be mindful of managing these in the workplace. If you have ever wondered why an Autistic child may have a meltdown at the supermarket, it is due to the level of sensory input and inability to filter. The sensitivity to the lighting is a contributing factor to the behavioural outcome.
For this reason, the sensory stimulus has a profound influence on the quality of the ASD individual’s life. Understanding the sensory obstacles is essential for my quality of life and the for the people around me. I now recognise the physiological impact sensory input plays and how I need to manage it as an autistic individual. This is why I believe replacing fluorescent lighting with LED is, in fact, a human rights issue.
I know this sounds like a strange argument, but why would a lightbulb be akin to a human rights issue?
Why LED lights matter.
Firstly, there are obvious reasons for moving to LED lights; LED lighting is far better for the environment. The benefits of using LEDs include energy efficiency (less carbon footprint), producing very little UV, and being safer to use since they are lower voltage and last much longer than traditional bulbs.
Simply put, LED is far more sustainable for the environment and green initiatives and are cost-effective.
Secondly, LED lights have another significant efficiency dividend for I&D (Inclusion and Diversity); it assists the neurodiverse in learning, working, and socialising. With too many ASD people, the sensory environment is a massive barrier to obtaining a suitable place to work and staying in the role.
For me, walking into a certain business for the first time, knowing the office has LED lighting, is an essential factor in my job. Since I knew I could manage the workplace environment better. Hence, reducing the sensory barriers for the neurodiverse is an I&D element.
Choosing a quality LED is better for the environment and makes a much better workplace for the neurodiverse. To boil it down, the cost of a LED lightbulb removes barriers for people like myself and creates a better and more inclusive workplace.
If a company uses LEDs, it is a place where I can work because LEDs reduce a sensory barrier. As a result, LEDs in an office should be viewed as an I&D initiative instead of just going green.
