Direct Access
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The Accidental Accessibility of Luxury Residential Developments
In the luxury residential sector, developers often focus on creating spaces that exude elegance and exclusivity. However, many of the high-end features marketed to appeal to the desire for convenience—such as seamless flooring transitions, wide corridors, and automated systems—are, in fact, cornerstones of accessible design. While accessibility isn’t always the
Read More...Approved Document M updated to include Changing Places and Sanitary Provisions
Approved Document M Volume 2: Buildings other than Dwellings, is one of the foundational documents in England for architectural accessibility and inclusion within built environments. So much so that it is one of the main documents our team of access auditors refer to when out on the job delivering our
Read More...Why Accessibility Needs to Be Part of Your Branding Strategy
Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked when it comes to branding: accessibility. Sure, we all know it’s important to have an inclusive brand, but how many of us really think about making sure our brand names, product categories, and even the way we organise our stores are accessible
Read More...Back to school: How to ensure access and inclusion for education environments
As students return to school across the UK, it is vital to ensure that our educational settings are accessible and inclusive. By paying attention to this, schools can support quality learning experiences and ensure all aspects of education are equally available to students of all abilities. It is no secret
Read More...How your organisation could benefit from training staff in disability awareness
Providing disability awareness training for staff is as vital to any successful public-facing business as its management or marketing teams, yet for some reason, whether from ignorance or laziness, very few organisations will put in the required effort to reap the rewards that come from training staff in how to
Read More...The right to play: creating accessible playgrounds for all children
When we consider the thought of what accessibility in the built environment looks like, it would be fair to say that inclusive children’s play areas do not normally come to mind first. Typically, accessibility in the mind of the average person is thought about in contexts of more menial and
Read More...Direct Access providing Calm Corner at Nantwich Food Festival 2024
Direct Access providing Calm Corner at Nantwich Food Festival 2024 The organisers of Nantwich Food Festival have confirmed that Direct Access will be attending the latest edition of the popular food festival this August and September. Our consultancy is proud to be providing a quiet space, which we have dubbed
Read More...How to create accessible and inclusive social media content
On a global scale, social media is the dominant means of communication. Practically everyone everywhere makes use of it, whether to keep up with friends and family, entertain ourselves, read news articles/opinion pieces, or even find jobs. For disabled people (particularly those who face challenges navigating the physical world), social media
Read More...Why architects need accessibility consultants for New Build design projects
It is generally understood that there are five different phases for New Build construction projects. Across these five stages, accessibility consultants play a key role in the delivery of at least three of them to ensure that site owners and architects (the Project Management Team) are meeting their legal obligations
Read More...‘Harris Your Place’ : Direct Access interviewed for access consultancy work at the Harris Museum
Direct Access founder Steven Mifsud MBE was interviewed for the Harris Museum’s ‘Harris Your Place’ profile series, highlighting key people in the site’s ongoing refurbishment. An ambitious undertaking, it is set to be the first blended museum, art gallery, and library in the UK. Conducting the interview with Steven is
Read More...Direct Access bringing access and inclusion to Canterbury
Canterbury County Council (CCC) have commissioned Direct Access for their Levelling Up Project, the scope of which has seen the firm deliver accessibility audits for many of Canterbury’s heritage places, gardens, trails, streetscapes, car parks, and cycling routes. The project, which has seen Direct Access deliver accessibility audits to public
Read More...Embracing disabled identity: Direct Access and Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month is an annual awareness day celebrated every July, championing the creativity, resilience, and achievements of disabled people. The origins of Disability Pride as a celebration go as far back as the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act back in 1990, which the date traditionally commemorates. However,
Read More...Steven Mifsud interviewed for the 20th anniversary of Direct Access
Celebrating 20 years as Director of Direct Access, Marketing Executive and Accessible Media Consultant Michael Miller interviewed our Group CEO Steven Mifsud MBE about the company’s history which now spans a generation, and what the future holds for the award-winning accessibility consultancy. Hi Steven! Firstly, congratulations on Direct Access finally
Read More...The visually impaired right (and fight) to vote independently
With the arrival of the UK General Election today, citizens nationwide are flocking to their local polling stations to exercise their rights as British citizens. However, not everyone is being granted the opportunity – with many disabled people across the Four Nations still unable to visit their local polling station
Read More...Direct Access celebrates 20 years providing world-renowned accessibility services
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 Riyadh. Reflecting on the past and looking brightly forward to the future of Direct Access’, Steven said “As we mark the commencement of our 20th year
Read More...How to make your theatre inclusive and disability-friendly
The live event market is currently booming, making a huge resurgence within the wider entertainment industry. With the pandemic becoming something of a distant memory, the general public is becoming much more comfortable in crowded spaces again, with live performances and concerts generating billions of pounds a year. The joy of
Read More...How providing tote bags with small objects can increase accessibility on your premises
Adopted widely from education and play settings to workspaces, sensory bags are an inclusive, inexpensive method of signifying to visitors that your premises actively consider accessibility and comfort. The tools and resources available within the bag can ease or lessen situations of sensory overload, as well as aid in the
Read More...Expo City Dubai install first ever Direct Access Tactile Map at the Museum of Expo 2020
Expo City Dubai, a long-time client of Direct Access, has installed the first tactile map on its site at the Museum for Expo 2020. The Tactile Map Board is one of Direct Access’ signature products, representing an innovative, multi-lateral approach to inclusion that utilises accessible digital media elements to deliver
Read More...Steven Mifsud MBE interviewed at MENA Construction Summit
Answering questions on-stage, Steven spoke at the MENA Construction Summit this week on multiple topics effecting the future of the construction industry, ranging from Saudisation, to diversifying the workforce, to improving the local school curriculum. Accessibility and inclusion play key roles in how attraction providers can contribute to the sustainable
Read More...Direct Access to open new London office to accommodate expanding clientele
Direct Access’ UK and Europe division will be opening a new office in Bromley Old Town Hall, a Grade II listed building in the heart of London that formed a key filming location for Netflix’s The Crown. Members of the team will be relocating to the local area as we
Read More...United Kingdom
Suite GB,
Pepper House,
Market Street,
Nantwich,
Cheshire,
CW5 5DQ.
Ireland
77 Camden Street Lower,
Dublin,
D02 XE80.
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