Diversity, inclusion and belonging are valued at our core, sparking and enabling us to do good for our models, clients and communities. In today’s reading we’re celebrating models with disabilities and how their game-changing perspective towards taking on new experiences and challenges with professionalism, ‘yes first’ mentality and ‘can do’ attitude is winning them the recognition they deserve in the modelling industry.

Let’s shine the spotlight on our male and female models who have been hired for modelling assignments through our team, and how they felt about their experience.

Darren was booked for the Business Disability Forum, and his wife had a lot of positive feedback to share:

“Respectful and Amazing…
My husband went on a shoot with Models Direct today. He had the time of his life!! Bearing in mind, he has a disability that makes it hard to walk, he met his liaison this morning and it was plain sailing from there!! All (disabled) models were treated with the utmost respect, all needs were met and a fun but exhausting time was had by all. Communication has been brilliant throughout and even though the shoot was at an airport, everything was organised so well, there was no time for nerves. Would TOTALLY recommend Models Direct to all ages/abilities! Thank you!!”

This experience took place back in June 2024, and it’s not the first time Business Disability Forum has been in contact with us for our talent. Our models have worked with them in the summer of 2023 too!

Leanne was there, amongst some of our other female and male models on the previous project. This is what she filled us in with about her day on set:

“Rated 5 out of 5 stars.
I had the best experience on set this week, I absolutely loved every minute of it and I couldn’t stop smiling! Thank you so much Models Direct for this amazing opportunity, for believing in me and trusting me to professionally represent you. I was made to feel so welcome, by all the production team and I instantly felt really comfortable and at ease.

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As a wheelchair model, I can face many barriers and obstacles, I can honestly say that I was treated with the utmost dignity and respect at all times and they were really accommodating and understanding towards all my needs!

I participated in a number of different scenes and scenarios, all based around disability inclusion in the workplace. I was the first model on set, so the initial tasks were individually completed by myself…
It was great to meet and work alongside the other models. Everyone was so lovely, making this a really memorable experience! Thank you again Models Direct, I can’t wait to see the final cuts from this shoot and I look forward to working with you again soon..”

We’ve got a lot more reviews from all modelling categories where our models get hired by our illustrious clients and share their experience with us and you. If you want to read more, head over to this page.

At Models Direct, we have over three decades of modelling industry knowledge and hands-on experience. We’re standing strong where our ethos remains the same – bringing everyday people the opportunity to become a model. Whether it’s a part-time career they’d like to enjoy or something more frequent, our expert team can help! And if you’re an individual with disabilities, nothing is stopping you from applying with us!

We want to work with top talent, and so do our clients. So, whoever you are, whatever you look like, wherever you come from if you’re interested or perhaps know someone who would enjoy trying out this profession, we’d love to hear from you! MD’s looking forward to receiving your application!

Noah is an extraordinary little boy with an incredible story, born with the condition Spina Bifida and only 2% of his brain a condition called Hydrocephalus, he has surpassed all expectations and continues to develop into a very special person.

Models Direct Modelling Agency were delighted to receive a modelling application for Noah back in 2016 and welcomed him onto their books – Noah and his family are now celebrating a lifetimes contract with the agency!

Noah’s story is nothing but inspirational, to be faced with so many daily challenges for him and is family, however when speaking with Michelle (Noah’s mum) you get a sense of her energy, determination and total commitment to overcome and make the best of all opportunities that come their way.

The Models Direct team were delighted to see Noah appear on Good Morning Britain last week to talk about his incredibly brave appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Noah took to the stage as part of the grand finale of a very special concert organised by The Music Man Project – the UK’s only full-time specialist music education service for children and adults with a learning disability.

What an achievement!!

Noah is an ambassador for the Music Man Project along with a few other charities, however his recent performance at the Royal Albert hall with them was quite an extraordinary moment.

Noah’s first assignment with Models Direct:

It doesn’t get much better than staring in the Christmas commercial for one of the UK’s largest supermarkets, but that’s just what Noah did – securing his first major modelling assignment with Sainsbury’s!

Molly, Modelling Assignments Manager at Models Direct confirmed shoot details and Noah and his family were set to travel to London for an incredible experience filming with a professional film crew. The Models Direct team organised the transport, accommodation and all logistics to ensure Noah and his family were looked after from beginning to end and could enjoy the whole experience.

On the day Noah would be posing as the youngest child of a family and would be lifted from his wheelchair by his model ‘dad’ and be placing a star on top of the Christmas tree. As the first disabled child to appear in a Christmas Commercial, this was very exciting for everyone. Noah secured this assignment by submitting a specific action casting video to the production team, through Models Direct.

Noah’s mum Shelley gives her feedback on their experience:

“Noah had lots of fun filming for the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert. We were made to feel really special. Being on set was the most exciting part of the shoot. Watching Noah’s face light up when the cameras started rolling and when he placed the star on top of the Christmas tree really was priceless. On the second shot, the director confirmed that this was the one, which was very impressive considering Noah’s disability. This was a great achievement for him. He was treated with so much respect by the crew who completely catered to all of our needs. Noah bonded with everyone on set, particularly his on screen family which included Jo Burke, Alexander Perkins and a lovely young actress who played his sister. He had so much with them.

“I would definitely recommend this kind of experience. I wish I had signed Noah up with Models Direct from Day 1! Everyone thinks their child is the most gorgeous in the world, but we were being advised us so much to join an agency that we went for it – we just wish we had done it sooner! Every child is different and has their own unique qualities – there is work for everyone out there. I would recommend all parents to sign their children up – go for it, don’t even think about it – just do it! There’s only you stopping yourself from reaching your goals in life.”

Shelley Wall

Towards the end of last year Noah took his first international flight…to Australia! After hearing about an incredible ‘brain training’ treatment called Neuro Physics Therapy, Noah and his family made the around the world trip to meet with the founders Ken and Nickie Ware who agreed to meet with Noah at their clinic on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

To read more about Neuro Physics Therapy and Noah’s progress – click here

Of course Noah was unable to leave Australia without hitting the waves and learning to surf!! With the incredible assistance from disabledsurfers.org Noah was able to experience being in the water and catching some waves.

Models Direct are very proud to represent a variety of very talented disabled people and we have done for the last 30yrs! Disability has never been a focus for Models Direct, the agency considers any application in the same way, it’s enthusiasm, determination and commitment that is the New Face team are looking for! Noah and his family have these qualities in the bucket load and the Models Direct team are delighted to be able to represent Noah to clients for potential modelling work for years to come!

To hear about other disabled models who have been successful in securing work with Models Direct click here

The Models Direct team are in regular contact with Noah’s family and we know he will continue to wow us with his character, optimism and his determination to live a full and happy life while continually spreading joy and happiness to everyone he meets! We are super excited to see what he get’s up to next!!

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In addition to the everyday modelling assignments which are open to all disabled models, we have clients who want models to advertise disabled promotions or to sell specific disabled products. Although, as in the world of sport which has embraced disabled people for many years now, within the fashion and modelling industry we are learning that whatever disability you have there is a need to be inclusive when it comes to disabled models and not just to advertise wheelchairs!

The team at Models Direct were delighted to offer our model Nicki an incredibly exciting opportunity to model for a large high street brand in London and also a promotional shoot for Invacare in Cardiff recently – here’s how Nicki got on: