Direct Access
News
![Direct Access founder Steven Mifsud MBE, a Maltese man with short brown hair and a grey suit smiles for a photo in the courtyard of the Horniman Museum and Gardens on an overcast day. Behind him is a stone staircase leading up to a side-entrance of the museum.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/WhatsApp-Image-2022-05-23-at-9.46.23-AM.jpeg)
Direct Access’ Steven Mifsud MBE to speak at 2024 Heritage Day Conference
Direct Access founder Steven Mifsud MBE will speak at the annual Heritage Day Conference this year. The hybrid conference will take place on 7th March, in-person at St John’s Church Waterloo, London, and will also be streamed live to virtual delegates. Heritage Day is a leading heritage conference for all
Read More...![A Refuge Point sign on a grey wall with the international symbol of access printed on it next to an emergency two-way intercom within a non-specific building interior. In the background, a floor to ceiling window reveals a church and several houses being battered by the rain on a cloudy day.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_0895-1200x480.jpg)
The Direct Access Guide to Accessible Wayfinding
When we hear the phrase “wayfinding”, what most frequently comes to mind is the application and availability of signage in a particular environment, which is normally used to signify elements of a space that requires visitor attention, or offer directional guidance in complex environments, such as shopping centres, hospitals, museums,
Read More...![A public toilet exterior in Shibuya Ward Tokyo. Three green doors with different symbols representing genders and disability are imprinted on each. in front of the restroom, which is a small, rectangular, white building are a variety of thin trees and plants. Text overlayed on the image reads "public restrooms should be accessible to all". A public toilet exterior in Shibuya Ward Tokyo. Three green doors with different symbols representing genders and disability are imprinted on each. in front of the restroom, which is a small, rectangular, white building are a variety of thin trees and plants. Text overlayed on the image reads "public restrooms should be accessible to all".](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/shutterstock_2404443785-1200x480.jpg)
The public restrooms that set the world standard for accessibility
Depending on where you live, the accessibility, frequency, and sanitary quality of local public restrooms wildly vary. In the United Kingdom, it speaks to a specific lack of both care and understanding, that local authorities do not invest in accessible and clean public WCs, where not only are public toilets
Read More...![Under the Sea - Terra The Sustainability pavilion](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/3170_Under-the-Sea-exhibition-as-part-of-Terra-The-Sustainability-Pavilion.jpg)
New academic journal highlights accessibility at Expo 2020 Dubai
A new academic journal released by the Springer Publishing Company this week has detailed feedback by disabled people (or People of Determination) on the accessibility of Expo 2020 Dubai. Expo 2020, which was held in the United Arab Emirates between October 2021 and March 2022, was a client of Direct
Read More...![A photograph of the exterior of the Science and Industry museum in Manchester.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Science-Museum-1-scaled-1-1200x480.webp)
A guide to curating inclusive exhibitions and museums
When we think about accessibility in the context of most built environments, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is whether wheelchair users can directly access the building via ramps, sufficiently wide doors, and elevators. But accessibility is, as we all know, is much more than mobility
Read More...![A modern living room space with artificial plants decorating a space which includes a coffee table and red armchairs.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/pexels-rachel-claire-4846101-1200x480.jpg)
How inclusive and accessible design leads to future-proof housing developments
What is Inclusive Design? In construction, inclusive design is a sustainable, inclusive, and cost-effective design practice, yet is also massively underutilised. For firms that do use inclusive design when approaching new builds, it presents an opportunity for site owners to create built environments that are massively beneficial to every individual
Read More...![Part of a spacious office with a long aisle and row of desks with business supplies and green plants standing by walls and on workstations.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AdobeStock_568743494-1200x480.jpeg)
The health, environmental, and social benefits of Biophilic design
Biophilic design (from the Greek, ‘philia’ meaning ‘love of life’) is an environmental design choice which is being adopted by architects and decorators around the world for modern office spaces and desk-based work environments. Office spaces, though largely safe and unassuming compared to workplaces of past centuries still provide potential
Read More...![A close up of a smiling middle aged Caucasian man smiling for a photograph. He is sat in a green desk chair wearing a brown sweater.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WhatsApp-Image-2024-01-03-at-12.02.51-e1704362314548-685x480.jpeg)
Direct Access appoints new Managing Director and bid team for UK as international growth accelerates
Direct Access is excited to announce the appointment of Peter Brassington to the new role of Managing Director for Direct Access Consultancy in the UK. With full responsibility for the leadership and development of Direct Access’ UK business, Peter will take Direct Access to the next stage of success. Established
Read More...![A boy on the autism spectrum wearing noise cancelling headphones from the back in a big crowd at an indoor shopping centre.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AdobeStock_609928323-1200x480.jpeg)
HS2 quiet spaces: a new accessibility standard and technical specification designed to protect mental health
HS2 Ltd has proposed an innovative and exciting new standard which it intends to implement across its upcoming railway systems called the “HS2 quiet spaces specification”. The specification, a health and safety design standard, sets out rules by which designers constructing railway stations must abide to fulfill HS2’s inclusive design
Read More...![A black wheelchair user wearing a white vest and armband carries a basketball in the palm of his left hand and holds on to his wheelchair with his right. He is on a basketball court on a sunny day.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/shutterstock_2247087249-1200x480.jpg)
Why the Models of Disability matter when creating inclusive environments
As access consultants at Direct Access, we often get asked this question and when we do, we tend to give a rather dry and professional answer explaining legal requirements and building regulations. Whilst it is true that these legal boxes need to be ticked, it is hardly an inspirational, encouraging,
Read More...![A group photo of the full Direct Access Team beaming smiles at the grand opening of the office. A yellow banner ready to be cut is stretched across the entrance.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/316946696_535949428529684_5988721729878979786_n-e1669825439139.jpg)
Direct Access in 2023 – A Year in Review
First, the challenges. Life working at a small business always presents its challenges. In 2023, Direct Access experienced more of these challenges than we possibly have ever felt in our nineteen-year existence. Even as we anticipate celebrating twenty years of Direct Access in 2024, our well-oiled machine providing accessibility expertise
Read More...![A mixed group of work colleagues discuss work around an office table. One of them, a male wheelchair user, points to his female colleagues monitor to point something out.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pexels-kampus-production-6248983-1200x480.jpg)
How business owners stand to benefit from accessibility and inclusion
When we think of the built environments that make up our society, whether that’s bus stations, libraries, hospitals, supermarkets, or hotels, thought is rarely ever given to the potential of these spaces were they to be rebuilt, readjusted, and made inclusive. Indeed, when we think of accessibility and inclusion in
Read More...![Hand of an unrecognizable person dragging a suitcase, wearing on the wrist a lanyard of sunflowers, symbol of people with invisible or hidden disabilities.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AdobeStock_576074074-1200x480.jpeg)
The difference between disability awareness and understanding
Much is often said about disability awareness, whether it’s businesses and organizations earnestly involving themselves in the various disability awareness days that happen each year, to huge corporations painting an image of inclusivity simply because they offer images of diversity in their branding – it is clear that in today’s
Read More...![A photograph of a middle aged man wearing a white polo shirt and a hidden disability sunflower lanyard smiles and poses for a picture. His arm is resting on a large structure which reads #COP28UAE](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/926041b7-4748-482b-8229-f30249dfc292-1023x480.jpg)
How Direct Access is providing accessibility and sustainability for COP28
COP28, the annual climate change conference, is scheduled to take place at the heart of Expo City in the United Arab Emirates in a matter of weeks now. The conference, which will see some of the most high-profile politicians, scientists, and environmental activists fly into Dubai to discuss sustainability, will
Read More...![An advertisement banner for London Build Expo 2023.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2023-Show-Brochure-London-Build-1200x480.webp)
Direct Access founder Steven Mifsud MBE interviewed by London Build Expo on Diversity in Construction
Ahead of London Build Expo 2023, Steven Mifsud MBE sat with London Build Expo to talk all things Direct Access, ethical architecture, A.I, the future of technology, and diversity within the construction industry. Interview begins here: Thanks for sitting down with us Steven! Can you provide an overview of Direct
Read More...![A Virgin Train Express passenger train races across a track in the countryside.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AdobeStock_343788375-1200x480.jpeg)
Direct Access on the reversal of UK rail ticket office closure proposals
Earlier this year, a consultation programme was undertaken to ascertain the future of around 1,000 ticket offices at stations. These plans were initially developed by train operators to provide more staff on platforms and in response to an increase in the number of tickets purchased online. Today, it was announced
Read More...![A middle aged man, Andy Lomas, poses for a photo behind a large tactile map board at a product and service conference. In the background is a poster banner for Direct Access showing a young man in a wheelchair cheering on a hillside.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1000004018-1200x480.jpg)
The Importance of Accessible Wayfinding in Commercial Environments
In the past ten years or so wayfinding has undergone massive changes that has made getting around more accessible to all. With the ease of availability of services such as Google Maps, finding your way from A to B has never been easier. However, despite the ability to guide us
Read More...![A blind man using a white cane to identify tactile paving safely walking along a path.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Blind-Housing.jpg)
Etiquette for Interacting with a Visually Impaired Person
To preface, it is important that we first acknowledge that while there are generally recommended methods of communicating with blind people, they are ultimately individuals with their own experiences, and will therefore have preferences unique to them. This blog entry is based on preferred etiquette which tends to overlap among
Read More...![A man in a wheelchair hands a document to a female colleague across a desk in an office.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Disability-Consultancy-1200x480.jpg)
Direct Access hiring for new Managing Director Role
The Board of Directors at Direct Access are seeking a new Managing Director for its UK Operations. As part of the company’s global expansion into territories such as the Middle East and the United States, the current Direct Access Managing Director, Steven Mifsud MBE, will be transitioning into a group
Read More...![A close up of a Braille festival guide for the Nantwich Food Festival 2023. Photos of various guests are on the cover, including Simon Rimmer, Nigel Brown, Jack Stein and Lesley Waters.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/d738908a-adae-4231-ad37-8796ad55e0b7-1170x480.jpg)
How to cater to the increased demand for Accessible Media
With society’s increased reliance on digital spaces to carry out everyday tasks, ensuring the provision of Accessible Media is vital. From ordering food shopping to doing taxes to arranging doctor’s appointments to streaming films and television, the digital realm has largely superseded the analogue methods of the past. This progression
Read More...![The Direct Access logo.](https://directaccessgp.com/uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/White-Logo-Transparent-Background-1-1024x198.png)
United Kingdom
Suite GB,
Pepper House,
Market Street,
Nantwich,
Cheshire,
CW5 5DQ.
Ireland
77 Camden Street Lower,
Dublin,
D02 XE80.
Inclusive Guides
Explore our free guides on accessibility and inclusion, crafted by our experts. Click Here.