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The difference between disability awareness and understanding

Hand of an unrecognizable person dragging a suitcase, wearing on the wrist a lanyard of sunflowers, symbol of people with invisible or hidden disabilities.

Much is often said about disability awareness, whether it’s businesses and organisations 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 world, people want get involved […]

The Importance of Accessible Wayfinding in Commercial Environments

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.

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 through most populated environments on […]

Etiquette for Interacting with a Visually Impaired Person

A man with a cane walks along a pedestrian path during the day time.

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 visually impaired social groups, based […]

How to cater to the increased demand for Accessible Media

A smiling young woman with a tattoo sleeve on her living room sofa typing on a laptop with her feet held up on a wheelchair. Her brown and black dog watches her.

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to doing taxes to arranging medical appointments to streaming films and television, the digital realm has largely superseded the analogue methods of the past.  This progression therefore demands that we ensure […]

Universal Design: Creating Spaces for All

An Asian woman in a wheelchair enjoys a pint of beer with a friend in a pub.

Universal design is the design philosophy that seeks to create products, spaces, and environments that are usable and accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. It is a framework that acknowledges and celebrates human diversity by creating spaces that are inclusive and welcoming to everyone. At the heart of universal design is the […]

A short guide to ADA Transition Planning

A middle aged man, Steven Mifsud, holding an iPad for a portrait photo. In the background are numerous American flags on poles waving in the breeze.

The aim of an ADA Transition Plan is to identify and implement improvements to a public-facing site and help it achieve compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards. While many site owners think they might comply with ADA regulations by merely providing a wheelchair-accessible ramp, the reality is that a site must be […]