info@directaccess.group

E-Mail

UK: +44 1270 626222

Ireland: +353 (0)15079081

Access

for Everybody

Award-winning Universal Design and Accessibility experts. Led by disabled people.

Direct Access is an award-winning, full-service accessibility consultancy specialising in access audits, regulatory compliance, and inclusive design strategy across built and digital environments.

We support organisations to meet statutory requirements and WCAG standards through expert consultancy. Our experience spans complex private and public-sector environments across retail, finance, hospitality, education, healthcare, and culture, operating within diverse regulatory and operational frameworks at local, national, and continental scales.

Our majority-disabled consultants combine technical and lived expertise on every project. We also design bespoke tactile maps and produce accessible formats including Braille, Easy Read, and Large Print.

The mission is a simple but important one: to help organisations move beyond exclusive design practices and foster environments where people with disabilities can participate fully and equally. We believe true accessibility isn’t a one-time fix: it’s a mindset, a culture, and a commitment that must grow and adapt with our society and the technologies that shape it.

Our work spans a wide range of projects, from small community venues to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and world-renowned museums, collaborating closely with clients, architects, and design teams to deliver truly inclusive spaces.

Two men (Steven Mifsud and Steve Dering) look at blueprint on a building site in the desert at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Consultancy

Following best practice and meeting your obligations under the Equality Act.

A wide shot photograph of the new Birmingham International tactile braille map board shot using deep focus. The face of the map board provides a colourful rendition of Coventry Station's layout using a raised braille key and symbols against a white background. In the bottom left corner QR codes are available for audio described and sign language elements.

Media

Our recording studios and tactile production facilities produce a wide variety of accessible information – empowering people.

A photograph of the Direct Access Evacuation Chair.

Products

Key accessible products that make a real and substantial difference to the lives of people with disabilities

A Selection of

Our Work

Latest

News

The image shows a smiling caucasian man sitting in a wheelchair in a bright, modern office environment. He appears relaxed and confident, holding a tablet in his hands. He’s wearing a light blue button-up shirt over a gray T-shirt, and a smartwatch on his wrist. In the background, there are a few coworkers engaged in their own tasks—one person sitting at a desk using a computer, and another standing and interacting nearby. The space is well-lit with natural sunlight streaming in, giving the office a warm and collaborative atmosphere. Overall, the scene conveys a professional, inclusive workplace with a positive and productive vibe.
News

Rethinking Disability: Why We Advocate Socially but Experience Medically

Anyone who knows anything about Direct Access likely understands that as a consultancy founded by people with disabilities, we take an empathetic, person-focused approach to accessibility and inclusive design.  Of course, as a business, we also try to highlight how providing disability access provides social and financial value to our clients, but

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The image shows a man working at a desk in a dimly lit room, likely during the evening or night. He is seated in an office chair, wearing headphones, and appears focused as he looks at two computer monitors in front of him. His hand is resting near his mouth in a thoughtful pose. The screens display lines of code, suggesting he is programming or working on software development. The workspace includes a laptop placed in front of the monitors, a keyboard, a mouse, and a desk lamp casting warm light onto the desk. There are also small decorative items, such as a potted plant and stationery holders. The overall atmosphere is calm and concentrated, with cool blue ambient lighting contrasting against the warm glow of the desk lamp, creating a modern and slightly moody work environment.
News

The Competitive Advantage of ADHD-Friendly Workplaces

Globally, ADHD is estimated to affect around 5–7% of children and approximately 2–5% of adults, although many studies suggest that the condition is frequently underdiagnosed, meaning the true prevalence may be even higher. Given the significant proportion of people living with disabilities more broadly, it is essential that organisations ensure

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A gold BAFTA trophy in the shape of a stylized human face mask sits on a glossy black rectangular base. The mask features smooth, sculpted facial details—arched brows, a defined nose, closed lips, and wavy hair framing the left side. One eye is hollow, creating a dramatic contrast with the reflective gold surface. The background is softly blurred, keeping the focus on the iconic award associated with excellence in film, television, and games.
News

What the BAFTAs Controversy Reveals About Policy-Deep Inclusion

Ordinarily, an accessibility consultancy would not comment on the latest hot-button controversies in the world of show business. But the events at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards raise questions that sit squarely within our professional remit.   Direct Access works with organisations to translate disability inclusion from policy into operational practice. Inclusion is not achieved through statements of intent. It is achieved through preparation, communication, and

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A judge’s gavel made of dark polished wood rests on top of a closed dark blue book, which itself is placed on the keyboard of an open silver laptop. The gavel has a gold band around the head, adding a formal, traditional touch. To the right side of the frame, part of a gold-colored object—likely a scale of justice—is visible but slightly out of focus. Everything sits on a light wood desk, creating a clean, professional setting. The composition visually represents the intersection of law and technology, blending classic legal symbols with modern digital tools.
News

Myths About Who the Equality Act Actually Protects

NOTE: A quick clarification before discussion runs away with itself. This isn’t a partisan post. It’s a practical one. As accessibility consultants, we work within the current legal framework every day. The point of this post is to explore what that framework actually covers and what changes might mean operationally.

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A wide shot photograph of a black tactile braille map board shot in deep focus. The face of the map board provides a colourful rendition of the Tower of London's layout using a white, raised braille key and various symbols against a black background. A large white tactile model of the Tower of London's exerior sits on the face of the right side. Behind the map is a white table and Direct Access display stand.
News

The Business Case for Accessibility in a Visually Diverse World

The Business Case for Accessibility in a Visually Diverse World As organisations operate in an increasingly digital and interconnected world, the way information is presented, navigated, and understood has become a defining factor in how brands are perceived, trusted, and chosen. Accessibility, particularly for people with visual impairments, is no

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A Caucasian male child standing indoors near a large window, wearing over‑ear headphones. They are dressed in a long‑sleeved, light gray shirt and have one hand gently resting against the glass. Soft natural light comes through the window, creating a calm, reflective atmosphere. The scene suggests someone listening to music or audio while quietly looking outside.
News

The Business Case for Sensory Accessibility in built environments

In today’s fast paced, increasingly disorienting world, businesses are recognising that the social responsibility to make environments accessible is no longer viewed as a favour to disabled people or a tick box exercise to appease legal bodies, but a strategic advantage in the world of business.  The facts speak for themselves. Consider for instance,

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The image shows a person viewed from behind, gently touching the hearing aid positioned behind their ear. The individual is wearing a light-colored suit jacket and a watch with a blue band. Soft natural light is coming through the window in front of them, and the background appears to be an indoor space with large windows overlooking an urban setting. The composition highlights the hearing aid and the person’s gesture, suggesting adjustment, use, or awareness of the device.
News

Building Better Experiences Through Accessible Communication

Auditory processing impairments, including Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), affect how the brain interprets sound rather than how the ears detect it. Many individuals with these impairments have hearing that tests as “normal,” yet they encounter persistent communication challenges in everyday interactions due to a lack of accessibility measures that accommodate their needs.  For businesses, these

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Get In Touch

How can we help you today?

A member of our award-winning accessibility team will be in contact. If you would like to communicate in a specific way, please let us know.

Address

United Kingdom

Pepper House,
Market Street,
Nantwich,
Cheshire,
CW5 5DQ.

Ireland

77 Camden Street Lower,
Dublin,
D02 XE80.

Phone & Email

Email

Phone

United Kingdom: +44 1270 626222
Ireland: +353 (0)15079081

Direct Access
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