Improving Access for Everybody. Direct Access has steadily become a global force in the accessibility and inclusion field since its inception in 2004.
Established in 2004, Direct Access is a DOBE (team of disabled people) operating out of the United Kingdom, U.S., and Middle East providing design consultancy, access audits, accessible products, and inclusive media. A DOBE® certified Disability Owned and Operated Business Enterprise, we provide accessibility consultancy based on our team's real lived experience of disability. Delivering architectural projects in the UK, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Oman, Ireland, France, and Switzerland, we deliver reliable and informed consultancy based on the common practices and philosophies of our host nation - dedicating ourselves to our clients on all levels from strategy, benchmarking, guidance writing, access appraising architectural designs as well as accessibility audits for already established sites. https://directaccessgp.com/uk/
07/11/2025
Direct Access is proud to announce that Craig Acton, one of our dedicated team members, has been nominated for the prestigious Cheshire FA Disability Pathway Coach of the Year award. This recognition highlights Craig’s unwavering commitment to inclusive sport and his outstanding contributions to disability football in our community.
Craig will be attending the awards ceremony this evening, where his efforts and impact will be celebrated alongside other inspiring individuals who champion accessibility and inclusion in football.
This milestone also marks nearly six years to the day since Direct Access began sponsoring Nantwich Town Disability Football. Our long-standing partnership reflects our core values of empowerment, equality, and community engagement. We remain deeply committed to supporting initiatives that make sport accessible to all.
05/11/2025
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Wolfman) made some well intentioned if strange comments on the rise in visibility of neurodiverse diagnosis - chocking a lot of it up to "nonsense" or "rubbish".
Michael Miller, an autistic person on the Direct Access team, weighs in with his thoughts in our new blog.
Are his comments completely inflammatory or do you believe they hold merit? Let us know your thoughts.
Image Description: Anthony Hopkins stands in front of a promotional poster for the film The Rite. He wears a gray pinstripe suit with a white dress shirt and raises both hands with open palms, smiling slightly as he poses for photographers. The poster behind him features a close-up of a face with piercing blue eyes and a shadowed cross over the forehead, evoking themes of religion and the supernatural. The setting suggests a movie premiere or press event.
30/10/2025
True inclusion starts with rethinking what access really means.
Accessibility shouldn’t stop where the pavement ends. By introducing adaptive trails and providing all-terrain mobility devices for beaches, parks, and woodland walks, we have a unique opportunity to make nature not just reachable, but inclusive.
Leaders in parks, tourism, and public spaces (many of whom Direct Access has worked closely with) have jumped at the opportunity to introduce accessibility because the results speak for themselves. Inclusive design strengthens communities, boosts local economies, and fosters empathy. It’s an investment in people, in place, and in connection.
Check out our new blog and learn how accessible design transforms the outdoors:
Image description: A man in a motorised wheelchair interacts with a large white dog on a waterfront at sunset. The dog stands on its hind legs with its front paws resting gently on the person's lap. The person is seated and facing the dog, creating a moment of connection and affection. Behind them, a calm body of water reflects the warm hues of the setting sun, casting a golden glow across the sky and rippling surface. The scene evokes tranquility, companionship, and inclusive outdoor enjoyment.
21/10/2025
Thank you to everyone who joined Steven and Mathieu at the City of Scottsdale - Government's Disability Accessibility Consultation yesterday! Your thoughtful feedback will directly shape Direct Access and Matrix Design Group's ongoing efforts to make the facilities, programs, and spaces within your great city more accessible and inclusive via it's ADA Transition Plan.
A special shout-out to our incredible ASL interpreters for helping make the event welcoming and accessible to all.
More Consultation events are to be announced in the following weeks and we hope to see you there! Until then, you can check out this recap video to learn what an Accessibility Consultation is all about.
09/10/2025
Last night, our very own Josh and Callie (looking dapper) attended the grand re-opening of The Harris Museum!
It has been a great pleasure working with their team for the past few years on their incredible Restoration 'Harris Your Place' project, which has included various structural repairs, many new accessibility improvements, and the addition of new galleries and learning spaces.
Here are some snaps of the night, including our Direct Access Accessible Media team's brilliant wayfinding maps and evacuation chairs in situ! 🙌
07/10/2025
Our very own special Keir! Learn more about her in this post. 💚
🌟 Meet the Founders: Keir Welch🌟
Hi, I’m Keir, 32 and proud to have called Nantwich home all my life. I’m mum to Lukas (12) and Eviee (7), who are my absolute world and the reason behind everything I do.
I was born visually impaired due to significant nystagmus, and I’ve always believed that disability should never be a barrier to opportunity. After spending 12 years working in healthcare, a real sliding doors moment led me to meet Steven Mifsud MBE. He encouraged me (more than once!) to join Direct Access Group and after a few polite refusals I finally did. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I now work in senior management and genuinely love what I do. Every day brings new challenges and the chance to make a difference through accessibility and inclusion.
Nine years ago I met my partner Craig, and together we founded Nantwich Town Disability Football after realising how few opportunities there were locally for disabled people to take part in sport. What started as a simple idea has grown into something truly special: a supportive, inclusive community built on teamwork, friendship, and belonging.
My passion for inclusive sport doesn’t stop there. I’m also Vice Chairperson of the Cheshire FA Ability Counts League, where I continue to champion equal access and visibility for all players across the region.
Away from work and football I love reading, spending time with family and friends, and caring for my ever-growing collection of rare houseplants. I’m currently working towards my IAAP CPACC certification to further my knowledge in accessibility, and I’ll admit I probably drink far too much coffee while doing it! At home I share life with two mischievous cats, Wilfred and Wilbur, who never fail to make me smile.
✨ “Inclusion isn’t just about opening the door. It’s about making sure everyone feels they belong once they’re inside.”
30/09/2025
We couldn’t be prouder of our director, Jude Mifsud, who stepped onto the catwalk at the Cheshire Roses fundraising fashion show this past weekend! 🌹✨
A huge thank you to Salon Vie and every single person who poured their time, energy, and heart into making this day so special by attending or donating. It was nothing short of inspiring.
For those who couldn’t attend, Jude has set up a JustGiving page to keep the support going.
If you’d like to join us in championing this important cause, you can donate through the link below. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many women.
Inclusion isn’t an expense, it’s the smartest investment a leader can make.
✅ It fuels innovation
✅ Strengthens teams
✅ Unlocks new markets
✅ Drives long-term growth
Overall, it is understood that the disability community commands a disposable income of over $8 trillion, making it a market larger than that of China and equivalent to the combined economies of the United States, Brazil, Pakistan, and Indonesia. This figure might sound like a generous assumption, but the reality is that this number is going to naturally increase the longer people live and will subsequently develop disabilities.
By preparing for the inevitable now, business owners can get ahead of their competitors and accelerate the rate of inclusive facilities in society. Investing now will result in substantial rewards in the long term, both from a financial perspective and in terms of sustainability as Governments continue to publish new standards outlining mandatory accessibility policy. If people’s needs evolve, so should the systems designed to support them.
Image Description: A green background with illustrations of hanging light bulbs, one of which is illuminated. Text reads: “Did you know? Inclusion isn’t an expense. It’s the smartest investment you can make, and its returns are limitless.” A website link, www.directaccessgp.com, appears at the bottom.
25/09/2025
As alluded to in one of our previous posts, we firmly believe that A.I. is eroding careers in art, creativity & accessible work for disabled people.
The evidence is clear as day in William Coppock's research paper, which is still available to read here: https://zenodo.org/records/17045598
William's petition, aiming to make A.I. vendors and policymakers accountable to protect accessible employment & human creativity, is now live and available to sign.
If you have any skepticism about artificial intelligence and automation, please sign and share. The A.I. revolution affects all of us, but most demonstrably poses a threat to the livelihood of disabled people and the next generation of workers (that is, if we don't use our voice to speak up about it now):
Image description: A close-up of a laptop screen displaying the ChatGPT interface. The top menu bar shows options like File, Edit, View, Go, Window, and Help. Below, the interface includes buttons labeled “ChatGPT” and “Explore GPTs.” A cursor hovers over a “New chat” button with a pencil icon.
24/09/2025
‘It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Joe Prochilo, who sadly left this world last weekend on September 20th.
Joe was not only a great friend of ours, but a dedicated advocate, educator, and tireless champion for accessibility and inclusion. In a word, he was remarkable.
As a Senior Accessibility Consultant with all of us at Direct Access, he worked across Massachusetts, Philadelphia, and beyond to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent people with disabilities from fully participating in society. He moved communities beyond mere compliance with the ADA, helping them embrace true inclusion and equity.
From a young age, he dedicated his voice and energy to disability rights. Long before the Americans with Disabilities Act was even passed, he made multiple trips to Washington, D.C., meeting with members of Congress to advocate for accessibility and equal opportunity at both federal and state levels.
In his home City, Joe became an unstoppable force for accessibility in the City of Worcester, serving as President of Wheelingthrough.com and as Chairman of the Accessibility Advisory Commission, where his leadership led to several groundbreaking initiatives. He developed a first-in-the-nation access survey for mobility-impaired, Deaf, Blind, and Low-Vision populations and pioneered a Gold-Silver-Bronze recognition program for businesses excelling in accessibility. His efforts significantly increased the number of accessible housing units in Worcester, easing decades of backlog and creating lasting change for countless residents.
Joe’s legacy is not only in the policies he shaped or the programs he built, but in the countless lives he touched with his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering belief in a more accessible world. He reminded us that advocacy is more than action, it is attitude.
The Direct Access Team mourns the loss of a colleague who was also a mentor, a leader, and a friend. Joe’s work will continue to guide us as we carry forward his mission, his dream, to make an America that is truly inclusive to everyone.
Rest in power, Joe. Your voice, humour, vision, and tireless spirit will never be forgotten.
Dr Steven Mifsud MBE
CEO
Direct Access
Image description: Joe Prochilo, a man sits smiling in front of a backdrop that features partial text and an image of a person in a wheelchair. He wears glasses, a striped blazer, and a dark shirt. A microphone or recording device is visible at the bottom of the image, suggesting he was participating in an interview at the time the photo was taken. The backdrop includes fragmented phrases such as “Transition Plans,” “audits,” “design,” and “braille”.
22/09/2025
In the UK, it is estimated that 1.5 million people live with a learning disability—yet most face inadequate support, endless waiting lists, and families pushed to breaking point.
At Direct Access, we're working tirelessly to create spaces, services, and communities that truly include everyone.
From schools to community centres, we provide accessibility audits, consultancy, and disability awareness training—helping organisations go beyond physical access to truly understand and meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals.
Check out our blog to learn more on the current crisis being faced by neurodiverse individuals across the country (and how a greater emphasis on accessibility can help).
Image description: A young child wearing a blue t-shirt and gray shorts reclines on a couch, holding a smartphone or handheld device with both hands. The child is focused on the screen. Behind them is a maroon cushion and a softly lit curtain, creating a relaxed indoor setting.
11/09/2025
Come with Mathieu to the Abilities Expo in Scottsdale — a place packed with game-changing tech, products, and ideas that are changing the lives of disabled people everywhere.
He got to test out some seriously cool stuff — like a bed that adjusts and moves with you at the touch of a button, and a rugged rubber track wheelchair that’s built like a tank.
Abilities Expo is all about connecting, discovering, and proving that accessibility opens the door to endless possibilities - so we were proud to have Mathieu out there representing the Direct Access team.
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Direct Access Consultancy advises organisations on how to improve physical access for disabled people. This is achieved through Access Appraisals working with architectural and construction firms to ensure accessibility is designed into new builds at the outset. Access Audits look at established buildings and services to make recommendations on accessibility. Both services draw on local disability legislation and building codes in the country of operation.
For over fifteen years we have worked on large scale, high profile events, construction, real estate and infrastructure projects. We go beyond just quoting regulations to providing a fully integrated service that takes into account different dynamics and aspirations of projects we work with - understanding, identifying and overcoming the barriers that impede change.
Direct Access Store (www.directaccess.store)
Direct Access Store supplies and installs a range of accessibility equipment. From initially supplying evacuation chairs and hearing induction loops, the range has grown following feedback from customers.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided for disability charities and Personal Assistants employed directly by disabled people.
Employment and training opportunities for disabled people are provided in warehousing and distribution operations. These create opportunities for those who may not have previously had the opportunity to gain employment.
Direct Access Media and Communications (www.directaccess.media)
Direct Access Communications builds an accessible world through captions, subtitles, sign language, audio description and print enlargement services.
From initially creating Access Guides for the Hereford Museum, Direct Access Communications has grown into a leading provider of solutions for people who are deaf, blind, dyslexic, non-verbal or have other communication needs.
