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Why the parking lot is the first indicator of your site’s accessibility
As the point of entry for the majority of public facilities, the accessibility of a site’s parking lot has the capacity to shape the perception of an entire facility in the eyes of disabled visitors. In this blog, we will explain some of the ways you can make your parking
Read More...The benefit to providing accessibility and sensory guides for site visitors
Whether you are a site owner providing an attraction to the public or are the custodian of a heritage site/museum, Accessibility and Sensory Guides are fast-becoming a standard of the overall visitor experience in public recreation, entertainment, and educational settings. Working very much in the same way as a traditional
Read More...Steven Mifsud MBE to speak at the MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition in the UAE
Direct Access founder Steven Mifsud will speak at the MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition, the leading event for sustainable urban mobility solutions in the MENA Region. It will take place in Dubai from the 28th February – 1st March 2024. This year’s event theme, “Sustainable Mobility and Wellbeing”, exemplifies MENA’s
Read More...Direct Access and V&A East to deliver session on inclusive museum design at IMCC, Oman
DA founder Steven Mifsud MBE and V&A East Interpretation Lead Amy Davis will deliver a session at IMCC Oman where the pair are set to talk about the innovative new V&A East museum currently under construction in London. The new arts, innovation and education hub will provide a new immersive
Read More...The Direct Access Guide to Accessible Wayfinding
When we hear the phrase “wayfinding”, what most frequently comes to mind is the application and availability of signage in a particular environment, which is normally used to signify elements of a space that require visitor attention, or offer directional guidance in complex environments, such as shopping centers, hospitals, museums,
Read More...The public restrooms that set the world standard for accessibility
Depending on where you live, the accessibility, frequency, and sanitary quality of local public restrooms wildly vary. In the United Kingdom for example, it speaks to a specific lack of both care and understanding, that local authorities do not invest in accessible and clean public WCs, where not only are
Read More...A guide to curating inclusive exhibitions and museums
When we think about accessibility in the context of most built environments, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is whether wheelchair users can directly access the building via ramps, sufficiently wide doors, and elevators. But accessibility is, as we all know, involved much more than mobility
Read More...New academic journal highlights accessibility at Expo 2020 Dubai
A new academic journal released by the Springer Publishing Company this week has detailed feedback by disabled people (or People of Determination) on the accessibility of Expo 2020 Dubai. Expo 2020, which was held in the United Arab Emirates between October 2021 and March 2022, was a client of Direct
Read More...How inclusive and accessible design leads to future-proof housing developments
What is inclusive design? In construction, inclusive design is a sustainable, inclusive, and cost-effective design practice, yet is also massively underutilised. For firms that do use inclusive design when approaching new builds, it presents an opportunity for site owners to create built environments that are massively beneficial to every individual
Read More...Steve Dering to discuss mental wellbeing and biophilic design at the Kuwait Diversity and Inclusion Summit
Direct Access Consultancy LLC is delighted to announce that our Director of Strategic Partnerships, Steve Dering, will be on a panel talking about mental well-being and biophilic design at the Kuwait Diversity and Inclusion Summit from the 5th – 6th February 2024 at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel, Kuwait. Steve will
Read More...The health, environmental, and social benefits of Biophilic design
Biophilic design (from the Greek, ‘philia’ meaning ‘love of life’) is an environmental design choice which is being adopted by architects and decorators around the world for modern office spaces and desk-based work environments. Office spaces, though largely safe and unassuming compared to workplaces of past centuries still provide potential
Read More...Steve Dering to discuss accessibility at the IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit 2024
Direct Access Consultancy LLC is delighted to announce that our Director of Strategic Partnerships, Steve Dering, will be on a panel discussing accessibility for IAAPA at the IAAPA Middle East Trade Summit in Abu Dhabi from the 22th to the 24th January – an event that presents a unique opportunity to
Read More...Why the Models of Disability matter when creating inclusive environments
As access consultants at Direct Access, we often get asked this question and when we do, we tend to give a rather dry and professional answer explaining legal requirements and building regulations. Whilst these legal boxes indeed need to be ticked, it is hardly an inspirational, encouraging, or motivating answer.
Read More...How business owners stand to benefit from accessibility and inclusion
When we think of the built environments that make up our society, whether that’s bus stations, libraries, hospitals, supermarkets, or hotels, thought is rarely ever given to the potential of these spaces were they to be rebuilt, readjusted, and made inclusive. Indeed, when we think of accessibility and inclusion in
Read More...The difference between disability awareness and understanding
Much is often said about disability awareness, whether it’s businesses and organisations earnestly involving themselves in the various disability awareness days that happen each year, to huge corporations painting an image of inclusivity simply because they offer images of diversity in their branding – it is clear that in today’s
Read More...How Direct Access is providing accessibility and sustainability for COP28
COP28, the annual climate change conference, is scheduled to take place at the heart of Expo City in the United Arab Emirates in a matter of weeks now. The conference, which will see some of the most high-profile politicians, scientists, and environmental activists fly into Dubai to discuss sustainability, will
Read More...Direct Access founder Steven Mifsud MBE interviewed by London Build Expo on Diversity in Construction
Ahead of London Build Expo 2023, Steven Mifsud MBE sat with London Build Expo to talk all things Direct Access, ethical architecture, A.I, the future of technology, and diversity within the construction industry. Interview begins here: Thanks for sitting down with us Steven! Can you provide an overview of Direct
Read More...The Importance of Accessible Wayfinding in Commercial Environments
In the past ten years or so wayfinding has undergone massive changes that has made getting around more accessible to all. With the ease of availability of services such as Google Maps, finding your way from A to B has never been easier. However, despite the ability to guide us
Read More...Etiquette for Interacting with a Visually Impaired Person
To preface, it is important that we first acknowledge that while there are generally recommended methods of communicating with blind people, they are ultimately individuals with their own experiences, and will therefore have preferences unique to them. This blog entry is based on preferred etiquette which tends to overlap among
Read More...How to cater to the increased demand for Accessible Media
With society’s increased reliance on digital spaces to carry out everyday tasks, ensuring the provision of Accessible Media is vital. From ordering food shopping to doing taxes to arranging medical appointments to streaming films and television, the digital realm has largely superseded the analogue methods of the past. This progression
Read More...Unit 3706,
Platinum Tower JLT-PH1-12,
Jumeirah Lakes Towers,
Dubai,
UAE.
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