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Author: Michael Miller

U.S Arm of Direct Access acquired by Matrix Design Group, Expanding Accessibility and Inclusivity Expertise

The image shows two individuals (Steven Mifsud and Jude Mifsud) standing indoors in front of a glass wall with a decorative design. The glass wall features horizontal frosted stripes and a large green accessibility symbol, which resembles a stylized person in a wheelchair. Jude is wearing a bright blue long-sleeved blouse, while Steven is dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt paired with a light gray vest. There is a plant partially visible in the bottom left corner of the image. The overall setting appears to be a modern office or professional environment with a clean and organized look.

Steven and Judith Mifsud, founders and owners of Direct Access Group—the leading global accessibility consulting firm based in Nantwich, UK, have sold Direct Access Consultancy, LLC (U.S), to Matrix Design Group (Matrix), a U.S.-based, award-winning, nationally recognised, employee-owned interdisciplinary engineering, design, and consultancy firm. This acquisition will strengthen Direct Access’s vision and commitment to creating […]

An Autistic Person’s Response to Anthony Hopkins’ Autism and ADHD Remarks

Anthony Hopkins stands in front of a promotional poster for the film The Rite. He wears a gray pinstripe suit with a white dress shirt and raises both hands with open palms, smiling slightly as he poses for photographers. The poster behind him features a close-up of a face with piercing blue eyes and a shadowed cross over the forehead, evoking themes of religion and the supernatural. The setting suggests a movie premiere or press event.

“A Critique of Anthony Hopkins’ Remarks on Autism and ADHD” by Michael Miller. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, one of my favorite actors; Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Wolfman) made some strange, if well intentioned comments on the rise in visibility of neurodiverse diagnosis.  Coming after his wife’s suggestion that […]

Terrain Tourism: Why Accessible Wheelchairs should be available on beaches as standard

A person in a motorized wheelchair interacts with a large white dog on a waterfront at sunset. The dog stands on its hind legs with its front paws resting gently on the person's lap. The person is seated and facing the dog, creating a moment of connection and affection. Behind them, a calm body of water reflects the warm hues of the setting sun, casting a golden glow across the sky and rippling surface. The scene evokes tranquility, companionship, and inclusive outdoor enjoyment.

Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Feeling the warmth of the sun, listening to the crash of ocean waves, or walking beneath a sea of trees are some of life’s simplest and most meaningful pleasures. For millions of people who live with mobility challenges, however, these experiences can feel impossible. A walk […]

AI Automation and the Phasing out of Artists, Creatives, and Disabled People

A photo of the WCS-ISO-9001 logo.

By definition, artists are creative people. Whether the trade is graphic design, filmmaking, or architecture, the role of the artist throughout history has been to find ways to innovate, reinvent, and inspire as a result of their unique passions, talent and ingenuity.  Often, the most impactful art comes from a unique blend of an artist’s […]

Airports for All: How Accessibility Drives Revenue Growth

A wide shot photograph of an older white and male wheelchair user with grey hair in an airport foyer. He is sat next to a baggage conveyor belt and has his right arm stretched out, gripping his luggage.

Air travel is more than a way to get from point A to point B—it’s a gateway to opportunity, freedom, and connection. For millions of travelers with disabilities, however, airports and airlines can still pose significant barriers. From inaccessible boarding processes to limited facilities, the experience often falls short of being truly inclusive. But here’s […]

University of Brighton Honours Steven Mifsud MBE for Transformative Work in Accessibility

A photograph of Steven Mifsud MBE posing for a photo alongside his wife, Direct Access Co-Director Jude Mifsud. Steven is wearing a blue and red graduation robe and holding a black tubular scroll containing his doctorate. Jude is wearing a half-sequined silver dress. Both are smiling.

The University of Brighton has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts to Steven Mifsud MBE in recognition of his exceptional contributions to accessibility and inclusive design through his leadership of Direct Access, the award-winning consultancy he founded in 2004. He was formerly a student at the University thirty prior, where he studied Architecture. Direct Access […]

How Accessibility Unlocks Better Workouts—And Better Business

Two individuals are engaged in a physical therapy or fitness training session indoors. One person, wearing a blue shirt and black pants, is positioned on a blue exercise mat in a modified quadruped stance—hands and knees on the mat, resembling a plank variation. Beside them, a second person in a gray sleeveless top and black leggings kneels, offering guidance and support with one hand placed gently on the participant’s back and the other on the floor. The room is well-lit with natural light from large windows, featuring wooden flooring, potted plants, and home-style furnishings in the background. The scene emphasizes attentive instruction, body alignment, and supportive movement practice.

The fitness industry measures everything—from average rep speed to protein shake sales. Yet most clubs fail to track their most revealing metric: the invisible exodus of members who leave not because of price or programming, but because basic design makes their workouts harder than they need to be. Consider this: · 30 million adults in […]

The Financial and Social Case for Accessible & Inclusive Rail Networks

A wide shot photograph of a Dubai, UAE metro railway track with City buildings and an approaching train on a sunny morning.

As the worldwide rail industry charts a course toward modernization, one critical factor remains insufficiently addressed: true accessibility and inclusion for disabled passengers. For Direct Access, we believe this is not only a question of compliance or public image— but a strategic opportunity to lead the way in delivering a modern, future-ready service that meets […]

Inclusion in Sport and Stadium Management – Accessible Formats

A narrow focus wide shot of a football sat stationery on a stadium football pitch. In the background the stalls of the surrounding stadium and a goal.

In the realm of stadium facilities management, accessibility for spectators, staff, and players is an area of increasing focus that aims to ensure equitable access for all. While modern stadiums are designed to facilitate physical access, disability is diverse, encompassing a range of needs. Direct Access has demonstrated a range of access tools including our range […]

How Access Audits inform effective Evacuation Plans for Care Homes

An evacuation chair in an orange bag is hung up on a grey wall to the side of an accessible platform lift on the upper floor of an office building.

Throughout history, buildings have generally been constructed to accommodate the needs of people without disabilities while ignoring those who do have them. As low as building standards can and have often been, however, the idea that care homes might not be truly accessible to residents is a worrying one for many  Care home managers. Especially […]

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