United States
We deliver accessibility consultancy worldwide using our geographic reach to serve the needs of our local, national and multinational clients. Our teams are integral parts of local communities combining local knowledge of accessibility with emerging international best practices. With offices in Clearwater, Fl and Seattle, WA we have completed projects across the United States and worldwide. Our team, 86% who are people with disabilities provide real lived experiences of disability.
Steven Mifsud established Direct Access as a disability accessibility consultancy in 2004. Profoundly deaf since birth and a Cochlear Implantee, he graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Architecture and initially worked with the historic City of Chester as the City’s Access Officer.
Setting up Direct Access was the logical step initially working with heritage, retail and education sectors. The firm has grown since working with UNESCO World Heritage Sites and infrastructure improvements for Olympic and Paralympic host cities. In 2018, Steven became the Universal Design Director for the world exposition Expo 2020 Dubai and then Director of Accessibility during the event’s six month run.
Steven has delivered accessibility projects for Native American communities in Montana and audits of rural main streets in Vermont.
Steven is often sought as a public speaker on accessibility – for New England Museums Association Steven delivered a presentation on ‘Accessibility in a post COVID world?’. In 2021, Steven was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II for services to international trade – sharing expertise on creating accessible environments.
Joining Direct Access in 2022, Courtney brings with her a twelve-year-long career as a speech therapy provider in various settings, primarily focusing on Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Speech Generated devices. Knowing she wanted to find a career path more directly focused on assistive technology and sensory-based accessibility, she began providing these life-changing and invaluable services with Direct Access.
Courtney’s experiences with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have informed her personal understanding of how to accommodate cognitive and neurodiverse individuals enhanced by her MS in Assistive Technology and Human Services.
Since joining the team, Courtney has been at the forefront of the Vermont Pilot program, which has seen Direct Access provide accessible housing to residential areas of Vermont and will be part of other exciting Stateside projects we expect to announce very soon.
When not working, you will likely find her outside. Depending on the climate and weather, you can usually find her working with her houseplants, hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, boating, and taking long walks with her two dogs.
Watch our short video to learn more about where Direct Access began, what we do, and how we can help businesses to create a more accessible environment.
We have a strong, established presence in the United States with our Head Office based in Clearwater, Florida. Delivering services from coast to coast, we are often invited to present at conferences on Universal Design and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In addition to the United States, we have an office in the United Kingdom and a team in Dubai.
Making accommodations for disabled workers proved to be low-cost
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that a new report finds that nearly half of workplace accommodations made for people with disabilities can be implemented at no cost to employers.
Record Employment for people with disabilities thanks to remote working
Disabled people have almost always been the most overlooked group within the American job market.
Address
Direct Access Consultancy LLC
68 Harrison Avenue
6th Floor
Boston
MA 02111
T: (617) 518-5313
F: (617) 518-5314
4600 140th Avenue North
Suite 180
Clearwater
FL 33762
T: (727) 478-2652
F: (727) 538-4237
A member of our award-winning accessibility team will be in contact.
If you would like to communicate in a specific way, please let us know.
Joining Direct Access in 2022, Courtney brings with her a twelve-year-long career as a speech therapy provider in various settings, primarily focusing on Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Speech Generated devices. Knowing she wanted to find a career path more directly focused on assistive technology and sensory-based accessibility, she began providing these life-changing and invaluable services with Direct Access.
Courtney’s experiences with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have informed her personal understanding of how to accommodate cognitive and neurodiverse individuals enhanced by her MS in Assistive Technology and Human Services.
Since joining the team, Courtney has been at the forefront of the Vermont Pilot program, which has seen Direct Access provide accessible housing to residential areas of Vermont and will be part of other exciting Stateside projects we expect to announce very soon.
When not working, you will likely find her outside. Depending on the climate and weather, you can usually find her working with her houseplants, hiking, kayaking, snowboarding, boating, and taking long walks with her two dogs.
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