Accessibility

Neurodiversity training: Accessibility for the mind Providing neurodiversity training is a crucial element in generating truly accessible workplaces. This is because if staff members know how to accommodate cognitive disabilities, not only are welcoming and inclusive environments encouraged, but the likelihood of engagement among neurodiverse people will likely increase, creating

Making heritage sites inclusive and accessible Reserving our heritage and learning from the successes and mistakes of old are crucial in the development of a positive and better tomorrow. And nowhere is this truer than in the world of man-made structures. As society, in service of creating a better world

At Direct Access, we champion how positive social experiences can have a resulting positive impact on the lives of disabled people. Highlighting the importance of social accessibility is in turnkey to achieving this. Ranging from the emotional well-being of individual disabled people to wider perceptions of inclusivity in the public

How to best maintain evacuation chairs on your premises Despite their purpose to protect the public, evacuation chairs are often an afterthought within built environments that require them. At best, they are kept in a stairwell behind the entrance or within a storage cupboard well out of plain sight. Sometimes,

Accessibility guide for electric car charge points The BSI has recently released PAS 1899:2022, detailing new accessibility specifications for electric car charge points, as well as the public realm surrounding said charger points, and guidance detailing online information provision for charger points. The specification factors differing power ratings and locations

What makes modern student accomodation accessible? At Direct Access, we regularly encounter horror stories about students excluded from proper access to their education environments due to insufficiently constructed student accommodation failing to meet their needs and a lack of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. A quick internet search reveals how common a

The relationship between extreme heatwaves and disability compliciations As of the time I write this blog (on the 19th of July 2022), the UK is undergoing one of its most intense heatwaves ever, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees for the very first time on record. Although we have seen a

The human mind and body are amazing feats of nature. They are both equipped to do incredible things, but as a result of stress, it is very possible that health issues could occur. In the case of our wellbeing and mental health, in the same way that we recommend eating healthily

Providing accessibility for autistic and neurodiverse children The degree to which accessibility is considered in school environments lays out an important foundation for how children perceive the world and providing accessible environments, as well as teaching methods, cannot be understated for this reason. This is the case because, in addition

When talking about accessibility, what first comes to mind for most people is the physical environment; the tangible space with which a disabled person might interact. However, there are many other areas we ought to consider when working out how to generate truly accessible environments. In today’s blog, we will

How to organise an Accessible festival If you have worked in the events industry, you are likely privy to the fact that festivals do not pop up overnight, that they require substantial planning ahead of time, and that things going wrong on the day are a complete given. Even events

What makes an accessible hotel? Tourism and hotel services enable providers to cater to people who want nothing more than an enjoyable and relaxing overnight rest, some good food, and, perhaps, an evening swim while they are at it. Whether checking in to a hotel for work or pleasure, the

Why do reception desks need induction loops? According to BS8300 – A hearing enhancement system, using induction loop, infrared or radio transmission, should be installed in rooms and spaces used for meetings, lectures, classes, performances, spectator sports or films, and at service or reception counters where the background noise level

The value of hiring disabled employees The zeitgeist of our post-pandemic existence is in many ways complex and has yet to truly be determined. The value of hiring disabled employees is one of the few changes in the past few years that has been an unambiguously positive result of an

How can we make evacuation more accessible? Upon receiving Royal Assent on 29th April 2021, the Fire Safety Act 2021, and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 officially came into law last week on 16th May 2022 for England and Wales. Amending the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, this new

Creating Accessible Golf Courses As recreational accessibility tends to be one of the most ignored aspects in our society, with the pandemic exacerbating the issue further, sporting organisations must acknowledge that creating an enjoyable experience for disabled people, is equal in importance to that of meeting build standards set out

New Accessibility Guide Published for Mass Transit The Government has revealed a new accessibility guide laying out ways to combat environmental and infrastructure-related barriers for disabled people who use rail. The outline of the guide “Inclusive Mobility; A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure” states,

The Direct Access guide to adaptive game controllers This week, Direct Access handed in our accessibility audit of the National Video Game Museum in Sheffield. Although we are extremely passionate when any organisation expresses the desire to become accessible, our audit at NVM felt special, because beyond educating people about

How can we make hospitals more accessible? For many of us, visiting hospitals can be a nerve-wracking experience even on the best of occasions. Although we tend to try and avoid hospital visits generally, there remains a considerable chance that most people will need to visit a hospital at least

Most British websites fail to meet best practice standards of accessibility The UK Government recently published a report detailing the findings of a study that explored website accessibility standards on several UK sites managed mostly by large public sector organisations in the health and public service sector as well as