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In principle, most people agree that public spaces should be welcoming, intuitive, and accessible to all. Yet for millions of individuals, navigating everyday environments, such as hospitals, town centers, transport hubs, libraries, leisure facilities, and council buildings can be stressful at best and, in some cases, entirely unmanageable. While this
For decades, mainstream toys like Barbie have reflected a narrow view of “normal” childhood experiences and archetypal roles for women, largely ignoring diversity in neurodevelopment, physical ability, and health conditions. So, it’s amazing to see Mattel diversify their brand audience through the power of inclusivity. Their latest, the Autistic Barbie
The Misunderstanding of Braille’s Value When we talk to organisations about accessibility, one thing comes up again and again: braille and other accessible formats are often overlooked. We have even heard people say that braille is outdated, niche, or no longer needed because of screen readers. This is not only
The Current Experience of Disabled People Much can and has been said about the flaws with British railways. As a team of accessibility consultants, Direct Access has tried our hardest to facilitate accessibility improvements with the many companies that have partnered with us, including Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast,
With the widespread closure of the high street and the migration of businesses, shops, and retailers more broadly to online spaces, the consequential effects of society’s ever-expanding pivot to digital commerce and the reduction of traditionally physical spaces for business have been discussed at great length on our blog, particularly
It is now 2026, and given our world’s reliance on digital platforms for everything from banking to shopping, digital entertainment is often marketed as more inclusive than ever. Watch any advertisement for a major company such as Microsoft, Google, or Apple, and you will notice a clean, inoffensive, and inclusive
As societies become increasingly digital and interconnected, the presentation and delivery of media plays an ever more crucial role in shaping public understanding of accessibility; because how disability is catered for and portrayed through media directly influences public attitudes, policy debates, and societal norms. For the 1.3 billion people with disabilities
Steven and Judith Mifsud, founders and owners of Direct Access Group—the leading global accessibility consulting firm based in Nantwich, UK—have sold the company’s U.S. operations to Matrix Design Group, a U.S.-based, nationally recognised, employee-owned interdisciplinary engineering, design, and consultancy firm. This acquisition will strengthen Direct Access’s vision and commitment to
“A Critique of Anthony Hopkins’ Remarks on Autism and ADHD” by Michael Miller. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, one of my favourite actors; Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Wolfman) made some strange, if well intentioned comments on the rise in visibility of neurodiverse diagnosis.
Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the outdoors. Feeling the warmth of the sun, listening to the crash of ocean waves, or walking beneath a sea of trees are some of life’s simplest and most meaningful pleasures. For millions of people who live with mobility challenges, however, these experiences
In the UK, roughly 1.5 million people are estimated to have a learning disability, including about 1.3 million in England alone, with around 2.16% of adults and 2.5% of children being affected. For many of these individuals—especially those with severe learning difficulties or multiple neurodiverse impairments—the supports we assume are
Air travel is more than a way to get from point A to point B—it’s a gateway to opportunity, freedom, and connection. For millions of travelers with disabilities, however, airports and airlines can still pose significant barriers. From inaccessible boarding processes to limited facilities, the experience often falls short of
By definition, artists are creative people. Whether the trade is graphic design, filmmaking, or architecture, the role of the artist throughout history has been to find ways to innovate, reinvent, and inspire as a result of their unique passions, talent and ingenuity. Often, the most impactful art comes from a
The University of Brighton has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts to Steven Mifsud MBE in recognition of his exceptional contributions to accessibility and inclusive design through his leadership of Direct Access, the award-winning consultancy he founded in 2004. He was formerly a student at the University thirty prior, where
Once again, it saddens us to report that disabled people are being treated as expendable. The UK government’s latest cost-cutting crusade has taken aim at Access to Work—a scheme that, for decades, has quietly but powerfully levelled the playing field for disabled people in employment. And now? It’s under threat.