Business Details
27 Years
experience
Expert Disability & Diversity Consultancy Services
Established in 1999, Freeney Williams has built a reputation as a leading consultancy specialising in disability and diversity. Our expertise lies in helping organisations across multiple sectors implement sustainable strategies that enhance workforce inclusivity, improve customer accessibility, and ensure compliance with equality legislation. With a team of seasoned professionals, including consultants who bring lived experience of disability, we deliver tailored solutions grounded in rigorous research and practical insight.Our work extends beyond the UK, supporting international clients in navigating complex diversity challenges. Through initiatives like the Click-Away Pound research, we highlight the economic imperative of accessibility, while our interactive training programmes empower businesses to foster inclusive cultures that benefit both employees and customers.
Services
Training Development
Accessibility Audits
Equality Policy Design
Case Management
Disability Research
Helpline Service
Online Workshops
Customer Service Training
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We deliver training led by consultants with lived experience of disability
- Our Click-Away Pound research quantifies digital accessibility's commercial impact
- We provide legally informed guidance on Equality Act compliance
- Our international team offers cross-sector expertise in diversity strategy
- We combine policy development with practical workplace adjustments
Services
Accessibility Audits
Our comprehensive audits identify physical and digital barriers across workplaces and customer services. We assess compliance with the Equality Act 2010, evaluate website usability with disabled testers, and recommend cost-effective adjustments. By examining policies alongside infrastructure, we help organisations create inclusive environments that reduce legal risk while improving access for staff and customers.
Equality Training
Tailored programmes address specific organisational needs, from board-level briefings to frontline staff development. Delivered by trainers with lived disability experience, sessions cover reasonable adjustments, unconscious bias, and inclusive customer service. Our interactive online workshops tackle modern challenges like remote working mental health and conflict resolution in hybrid environments.
Policy Development
We craft practical equality policies aligned with evolving legislation, covering recruitment, retention, and customer engagement. Our approach integrates disability networks, accessible IT procurement, and health & safety protocols. By combining legal expertise with operational reality, we create frameworks that transform compliance obligations into competitive advantages through inclusive practice.
Case Management
Independent conciliation services resolve discrimination claims without litigation. We mediate between parties in sectors ranging from retail to healthcare, focusing on mutual understanding rather than blame. Our process maintains commercial relationships while implementing preventive measures, supported by expert witness testimony and ergonomic assessments when required.
Digital Research
The Click-Away Pound research series quantifies digital exclusion's financial impact, revealing 17.1 billion lost annually in UK e-commerce. We analyse website barriers through disabled user testing, providing actionable recommendations. Our findings help businesses understand accessibility's commercial imperative while reducing legal exposure under current legislation.
People
Rick Williams
Co-Founder
Chartered HR professional with over 25 years in public sector management. Blind since birth, he combines lived disability experience with policy expertise. Advises governments and NGOs internationally on disability employment strategies.
Clare Cromarty
Director of Consultancy
Legal and HR specialist with extensive experience in disability law. Delivers training across sectors and regions, focusing on practical implementation of equality legislation. Leads major consultancy projects for UK and Middle Eastern organisations.
Jan Loveless
Director of Access
Leading UK access consultant with architectural and occupational therapy expertise. Specialises in Equality Act compliance, advising on physical access solutions for historic and modern buildings across diverse sectors.
Steve Brownlow
Digital Accessibility Expert
Pioneer in web accessibility auditing, co-author of Click-Away Pound research. Advises major brands on digital inclusion, combining museum exhibition background with electronic publishing expertise to improve online user experiences.
Kerry Smith
Director of Training
Former Business Disability Forum lead, developed mental health and customer service frameworks. Specialises in dyslexia support, creating practical training programmes that balance organisational needs with disability inclusion.
Questions
How can accessibility improvements benefit my business?
Our research shows accessible websites retain £17.1 billion annually in disabled customers' spending. Inclusive practices also reduce legal risks and enhance brand reputation.
Do you offer training for small businesses?
Yes, we partner with the Business Disability Forum to provide cost-effective open courses for organisations with limited training budgets.
How do you handle discrimination cases?
We provide independent conciliation services that resolve 100% of cases without litigation, focusing on practical solutions that maintain business relationships.
Can you help with website compliance?
Our audits use disabled testers to identify digital barriers, providing actionable recommendations that meet Equality Act requirements and improve user experience.
What sectors do you work with?
We operate across all sectors including retail, healthcare, education, and government, tailoring solutions to specific industry challenges and regulatory environments.
