Ireland: +353 (0)15079081
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.
Direct Access are the Accessibility Consultants for the Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, helping Cumbria become a thriving place for everyone through the development and implementation of an accessibility Read More
Direct Access were the accessibility consultants for the 5 C’s Project in Belfast, providing a review of 5 proposed street refurbishments for The Department for Communities (DfC) Belfast Regeneration Directorate. Read More
Direct Access provided accessibility audits to the East Riding Museums Group to ensure that its sites are fully accessible and inclusive to disabled visitors and staff. The initial site audits Read More
Image © O’Donnell + Tuomey / Ninety90, 2018. The Victoria and Albert Museum, more commonly known as the V&A is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and Read More
Direct Access has provided Universal Design and accessibility consultancy services for the new International Organization for Migration Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Working with the Architectural and design teams at each Read More
The Ellison Institute is an interdisciplinary, patient-centered research center that provides cutting-edge cancer care and wellness services, undertaking research initiatives that span the scientific spectrum to change how cancer and Read More
Recently, the BBC published an alarming article that identified a growing gap between the support required for ASN pupils and what schools are currently able to deliver due to limited support staff, resources, and limited guidance. The article also points out that almost 300,000 Scottish school pupils (about 43% overall) are categorised as ASN, with the
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
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
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
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.
As the UK rail industry charts a course toward modernisation, one critical factor continues to undermine performance and public trust: meaningful accessibility 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
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
The following Open Letter was published on our social media platforms on 4th February 2026 on behalf of a sight-impaired member of the team who wishes to remain anonymous. Dear DPD Team, I am writing to share my experience as a severely sight impaired customer, in the hope that it
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,
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.
United Kingdom
Pepper House,
Market Street,
Nantwich,
Cheshire,
CW5 5DQ.
Ireland
77 Camden Street Lower,
Dublin,
D02 XE80.
info@directaccess.group
Phone
United Kingdom: +44 1270 626222
Ireland: +353 (0)15079081
