{"id":2894,"date":"2024-07-03T14:57:04","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T14:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/?p=2894"},"modified":"2024-07-03T15:07:42","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T15:07:42","slug":"direct-access-celebrates-20-years-providing-world-renowned-accessibility-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/news\/direct-access-celebrates-20-years-providing-world-renowned-accessibility-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Direct Access celebrates 20 years providing world-renowned accessibility services"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2894\" class=\"elementor elementor-2894\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3fd27e8 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"3fd27e8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3fdb8a5\" data-id=\"3fdb8a5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35ea666 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"35ea666\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:300}\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Direct Access celebrates 20 years providing world-renowned accessibility services<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e8987fc\" data-id=\"e8987fc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-735a331 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"735a331\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b738333\" data-id=\"b738333\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c62c1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"3c62c1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9413aa elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"d9413aa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-5b4e2a4 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/2024\/07\/03\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-calendar\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>July 3, 2024<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c518e08 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c518e08\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-743bc2b\" data-id=\"743bc2b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddec0ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ddec0ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139-1024x663.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2899\" alt=\"A group photo of the full Direct Access Team at the grand opening of the office. A yellow banner ready to be cut is stretched across the door.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139-1024x663.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139-1536x995.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6cdf038\" data-id=\"6cdf038\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21cca54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21cca54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">This summer, Direct Access is delighted to be celebrating twenty years of providing world-renowned accessibility services across the globe, from Nantwich, to Florida, to Dubai, to Riyadh.\u00a0<\/p><p>Reflecting on the past and looking brightly forward to the future of Direct Access&#8217;, Steven said &#8220;As we mark the commencement of our 20th year with Direct Access, I fondly reminisce on our remarkable achievements. It has been a truly remarkable journey, driven by our dedication to international expansion, our collective embrace of the core value of &#8216;creating access for everyone,&#8217; and the exceptional team that breathes life into Direct Access today. While my personal tenure within Direct Access may not span the next two decades, I am certain that Direct Access will persist in its noble pursuit of making the world a more inclusive place for all individuals, now and in the future, wherever they are in the world.&#8221;<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">From our humble beginnings in the bedroom of our current CEO, to now having offices in four different countries (and counting), the past twenty years has witnessed the company grow at an accelerated rate.\u00a0<span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">But most importantly, it has seen us make a considerable difference to the lives of disabled people, who like us, deserved better than society could give us.\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Such was the dream of our founder, Steven Mifsud MBE, who first envisioned and registered the company in 2004.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">In this blog, we will be reflecting on crucial moments from the past twenty years that placed us on the road to our current success, as Direct Access looks forward to another generation of existence and even further growth as a team of disabled access experts and advocates.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-259e29e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"259e29e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4af77d4\" data-id=\"4af77d4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b3550a elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8b3550a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><h2 data-elementor-setting-key=\"title\" data-pen-placeholder=\"Type Here...\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-family ), Sans-serif\">The early years (2004-2007)<\/h2><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5941166 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5941166\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Coming off working as an in-house access consultant for Chester City Council in the UK, where he advised on the accessibility of locally managed properties, our CEO Steven Mifsud MBE wanted to provide the same high-quality service to as many people as possible. Born as a profoundly Deaf individual and having grown up in a world that did not cater to his personal requirements, Steven&#8217;s frustrations with the inaccessibility of places that many of us take for granted, such as schools, public transport, housing, retail parks and museums, proved to be the spark of inspiration that would set the course of the next twenty years, and allow us to change the lives of disabled people for decades.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Shortly after Steven left CCC, and a brief stint as a Consultant for Turner and Townsend, Direct Access was first registered as a business. Following on from that fateful day, we quickly landed our first contract with retail giants John Lewis, for whom Direct Access delivered our first accessibility audit at one of their key locations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Back then, Direct Access operations were done in-house in Oxfordshire (and quite literally in Steven&#8217;s residence, due to Direct Access not having enough money for an external office at the time). This was soon followed up a contract with by the FA Football Association, who engaged Direct Access to advise on the accessibility of their website, as well as our first public transport client in Jacobs, who engaged Direct Access to be Access Consultants on key projects such as the Tottenham Court Road Refurbishment. These initial contracts eventually lead to our access appraisal projects for the London Underground, ahead of the 2012 Olympics.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Little did we know that by the time our twenty year anniversary rolled around, the team as a whole, which began with one person, would expand and carry out accessibility audits on literally thousands of built environments, heritage sites, council housing estates, and privately owned businesses &#8211; with independently operated Direct Access offices in London, Dublin, Florida, Boston, and Dubai.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Despite the continued growth, Direct Access has never left Nantwich, with our head office situated in the centre of the historic market town, which today is the base of operations for over 15 staff members and counting.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aab14b2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aab14b2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4d97004\" data-id=\"4d97004\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b562b12 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b562b12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><h2 data-elementor-setting-key=\"title\" data-pen-placeholder=\"Type Here...\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-family ), Sans-serif\"><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-primary-font-family ), Sans-serif\">Continued Expansion (2008-2017)<\/span><\/h2><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31a04f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31a04f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">After landing the aforementioned contracts, Direct Access would spend the following decade improving accessibility and inclusivity across each of the industries Steven originally envisioned, building a diverse portfolio of clients from across the United Kingdom.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">During this crucial formative period, Direct Access would hit several milestones, including landing our first UNESCO World Heritage site contract, our first ever Museum client, and the delivery of over 1000 accessibility audits to different primary and secondary schools, an achievement which we are still immensely proud of that we would eventually go on to double the following decade.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Direct Access would also hire its first employees during this period, which helped the company deliver County-wide audits of public housing estates and facilities for several UK Councils, including Hertfordshire Council and West Lancashire District Council &#8211; as well as over ten different housing groups.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Direct Access would hit other major landmarks at this time, including signing our first large-scale transportation contract, becoming the Access Consultants and Advisors for Virgin Trains.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Direct Access would also kickstart our longstanding collaboration with the NHS Trust, providing accessibility audits of several sites &#8211; starting with the Parsons Green Health Centre.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b14fdb\" data-id=\"5b14fdb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7c4837 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d7c4837\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_573219324-scaled-1-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2900\" alt=\"Panoramic wide angle view of Warkworth Castle in Northumberland on a sunny day. A small group of visitors are sat on a stone ledge in front of the castle.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_573219324-scaled-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_573219324-scaled-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_573219324-scaled-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_573219324-scaled-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_573219324-scaled-1-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8fb20b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8fb20b5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9139425\" data-id=\"9139425\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-447142b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"447142b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Our team would then go on to become Access Consultants for Nottingham Trent University, the Museum of London, McArthur Glen&#8217;s Cheshire Oaks retail outlet, and work on the \u00a3460 million Woking Town Square refurbishment.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight );\">Around this time, Direct Access attracted interest from several big name brands. This included collaborations with large chain restaurants such as Subway, Nandos, McDonalds and energy providers such as E-on, for whom we audited each of their UK facilities and offices.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7983396 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7983396\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-858269b\" data-id=\"858269b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5536855 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5536855\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"386\" height=\"386\" src=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/team-steven-mifsud@0.5x-e1684234088665.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-612\" alt=\"Steven Mifsud holding his MBE on the grounds of Windsor Castle while smiling for a photo.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/team-steven-mifsud@0.5x-e1684234088665.jpg 386w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/team-steven-mifsud@0.5x-e1684234088665-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/team-steven-mifsud@0.5x-e1684234088665-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-16fc898\" data-id=\"16fc898\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c454ab8 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c454ab8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">International Renown &amp; Products Division (2018 - 2024)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cae1d51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cae1d51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">The following six years proved to be be incremental in the journey of what Direct Access would eventually become; a international team, and a world-renowned accessibility consultancy.\u00a0<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">In 2018, Direct Access first set its sights on international expansion. During this period, Steve Dering joined the team &#8211; and Direct Access looked to the Department for International Trade North West for guidance on how to successfully expand outside of the UK.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">The catalyst for our growth overseas came in the same year, when Direct Access successfully won a bid to become the Access Consultants for the then upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai. We would also go on to work with EuroStar in the same year, and later worked with the United Nations on their new International Organization for Migration building in Geneva.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Direct Access went on to quickly win their first major award for International Trader of the Year 2018 by the Chamber of Commerce &amp; Industry and opened their first international office in Dubai South.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">However, our team&#8217;s success grinded to a complete halt when Expo 2020 Dubai was postponed until the following year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\">After working on Expo for two years, Direct Access was forced to completely reassess what accessibility meant for the postponed event, which was to become one of the most attended World Expos ever with over twenty four million visitors, many of whom were disabled and likely vulnerable to the disease.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-10a7c95 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"10a7c95\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-edf93b5\" data-id=\"edf93b5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29c5762 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29c5762\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But this did not stop us; Expo 2020 Dubai eventually did happen, and the event was a resounding success, cementing Direct Access\u2019 credibility on the world stage. After Expo 2020, we would begin working within the United States, establishing two new offices on the East Coast and delivering accessibility audits to local municipalities in states such as Vermont, Massachusetts and Texas on key community aspects such as public parks, facilities, and housing associations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Steven would shortly thereafter be awarded an MBE,<span class=\"simplyweb-checked\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\">for services to International Trade in the Queen\u2019s 2021 Birthday Honours list.<\/span><\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In 2022, Direct Access would return to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai at Expo City, providing additionally accessibility consultancy on the site ahead of hosting the COP28 Conference, which gathered world leaders from across the globe to discuss climate change strategies. Fittingly, the theme of the event was\u00a0 sustainability \u2013 a concept fundamentally linked to accessibility and inclusion.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Around the same time, Direct Access\u2019 roster of consultants and accessibility experts was expanded even further in order to keep up with the incoming work. The new recruits included a brand new Managing Director for the UK, Peter Brassington \u2013 as Steven retired from the role to expand the company\u2019s reputation on the world stage\u00a0as a CEO, overseeing all of the global operations.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In addition to new accessibility consultants, the company also introduced an entirely new team and division in the Direct Access Accessible Media department, who work out of the Media Innovation and Centre in our hometown of Nantwich, UK. Here, the\u00a0<span class=\"simplyweb-checked\">Accessible Media team creates innovative new products that go beyond the requirements of legislation and compliance to offer best-practice, truly inclusive experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Today, its roster of accessible media services include the creation of website accessibility audits, sign language and audio-described content, and products such as 3D Tactile Models.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"color: #000000;\">The Department\u2019s signature product is the Direct Access Tactile Map Board, an inclusive multi-format map board designed to be used for visually impaired and neurodivergent individuals, as well as Sign Language users.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"simplyweb-checked\"><span class=\"simplyweb-checked\" style=\"color: #000000;\">And the rest, as they say, is history! Happy 20th anniversary to us!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a988060 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a988060\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Direct-Access-20-years-V5-Large-1024x315.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2895\" alt=\"A 20 year anniversary logo for Direct Access which reads &quot;Direct Access 20th anniversary celebration, founded 2004&quot;.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Direct-Access-20-years-V5-Large-1024x315.png 1024w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Direct-Access-20-years-V5-Large-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Direct-Access-20-years-V5-Large-768x236.png 768w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Direct-Access-20-years-V5-Large-1536x473.png 1536w, https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Direct-Access-20-years-V5-Large.png 1791w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35ea379 elementor-post-navigation-borders-yes elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation\" data-id=\"35ea379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-navigation.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Post Navigation\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/news\/how-to-make-your-theater-inclusive-and-disability-friendly\/\" rel=\"prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-prev\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-left\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Prev<\/span><\/span><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__prev\"><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--label\">Previous<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__prev--title\">How to make your theater inclusive and disability-friendly<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__separator\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/directaccessgp.com\/ae\/news\/steven-mifsud-interviewed-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-direct-access\/\" rel=\"next\"><span class=\"elementor-post-navigation__link__next\"><span class=\"post-navigation__next--label\">Next<\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__next--title\">Steven Mifsud interviewed on the 20th anniversary of Direct Access<\/span><\/span><span class=\"post-navigation__arrow-wrapper post-navigation__arrow-next\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i><span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Next<\/span><\/span><\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b922621 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b922621\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b9b50c2\" data-id=\"b9b50c2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This summer, Direct Access is delighted to be celebrating twenty years of providing world-renowned accessibility services across the globe, from Nantwich, to Florida, to Dubai, to Riyadh.\u00a0 Reflecting on the past and looking brightly forward to the future of Direct Access&#8217;, Steven said &#8220;As we mark the commencement of our 20th year with Direct Access, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Direct Access celebrates 20 years providing world-renowned accessibility services - Direct Access Middle East<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This year, Direct Access celebrates twenty years of providing world-renowned accessibility services across the globe, from Nantwich to Riyadh.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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