Direct Access

Evacuation chairs; a legal requirement for schools The Equality Act 2010 and the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005 requires schools and other education establishments to have arrangements in place for their disabled students. Within the classroom setting, this is easily achieved with work being planned to suit certain needs

Steven Mifsud, the profoundly deaf founder, and director of Direct Access, will see his dulcet tones broadcast to millions as he lends his voice to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics, which begins today in Tokyo. His voice will be utilised in the opening ceremony’s combination of imagery and audio-visuals.

Direct Access collaborates with Crossley Anderson for sustainability hub Picture a former railway dock which has been left vacant and decrepit for years. Like many buildings and facilities throughout the UK left to abandon, it is a piece of industry architecture that through lack of care has become lost to

Access audits to remove accessibility barriers on UK transport This month, the government announced a National Disability Strategy to build back fairer from COVID-19, which will include major access audits of all UK railway stations and new laws to boost accessibility standards on buses and taxis. As access auditors for

Evacuation Chair Range Developed by and for Disabled People Direct Access has recently launched our brand-new Evacuation Chair range. Developed by disabled people, it is the first time that Chairs have been developed with a disabled evacuee in mind. Established in 2004, Direct Access remains the UK’s leading accessibility consultancy

BSL Intepretation and Inclusivity At Direct Access, we are often asked about the kinds of sign language interpreters. We provide sign language interpreter services to the NHS in England, Scotland, and Wales via an NHS SBS framework contract and produce sign language videos for a variety of clients. So, what

Building Bulletin 100 Updates Published in 2007, Building Bulletin 100 is non-statutory guidance on fire safety for schools. The Department for Education is currently updating the guidance, particularly for special schools. It covers how a school building should be designed so that pupils and staff will have early warning if

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Exposition in the Middle East and Africa region this October. It will see the transformation of a 4.38km² site on the border of the Emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to become the largest ever event staged in the Middle East. More

Steven Mifsud, the founder of Direct Access has been appointed an MBE for services to International Trade in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours list. Steven has led Direct Access to international export success sharing British innovation and expertise in creating accessible environments all around the world. The award recognises Steven’s

Disability and the lack of employment opportunities At Direct Access, we create opportunities for disabled people, and our senior directors are disabled themselves. Our Access Consultancy team are all disabled people, and we embrace life experience as an asset that offers insight and motivation. Throughout our careers as access consultants,

What is a Hearing Loop? Imagine not being able to hear the speaker across the roar of a crowd, the bank cashier, or a bus driver over the noise of an engine. For many of the one in six of the UK population with some form of hearing loss, this

Direct Access launches NHS sign language interpretation service Direct Access has secured a four-year NHS Shared Business Services framework contract to supply sign language interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients. We make this announcement on a very significant day for us at the company, Deaf Awareness Week. As our Founder

Steven Mifsud receives MBE at Windsor Castle Join us in congratulating our founder and director Steven Mifsud who was absolutely humbled and honoured to receive his MBE this week from the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle for services to International Trade. The award recognises Steven’s work with the UK’s

Direct Access featured on BBC news https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcAt5UXsoew This week Direct Access has been featured on BBC News Wales during lunchtime.  At a time when the COVID19 infection rate is rapidly increasing and more places face lockdown it is nice to be able to share a positive story. The pandemic has

Virgin Trains appoints Direct Access Direct Access, the Cheshire-based deaf-run accessibility firm, has won International Trader of the Year at the prestigious South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Awards. The award recognises Direct Access’ successful first year in the United Arab Emirates and the opening of the company’s first offices in

Direct Access appointed consultants for Blackpool Wintergardens We are pleased to announce that Direct Access has been appointed the Access Consultants for the new Blackpool Wintergardens Conference Centre. Direct Access, commissioned by Blackpool Council will be working alongside the appointed Architects Bisset Adams to deliver and design a 21st-century conference