Website Accessibility
We have made every effort to make our website accessible and easy to use for everyone, whether or not you have any disabilities. Our website has been constructed to conform to level Double-A of the WC3 Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.
Maintaining an accessible website is an ongoing process and we are continually working to offer a user friendly experience. If you have any problems using this web site please contact us by email or call the Communications Team on 01902 396820.
To assist with website accessibility we offer:-
- Browsealoud - a free speech enabler download
- Help with seeing, reading and setting your keyboard and mouse
- Changing text size
- Changing contrast
- Navigation assistance: Keyboard or Mouse?
- Website structure
- Best viewing experience
- Useful tips for accessing information
Browsealoud
Browsealoud is a free speech enabler download that enables you to listen rather than read our website content.
It can offer a practical website access service to a range of people who may:-
- have reading or literacy difficulties
- not be fluent in English as it is not their first language
- have Dyslexia
- have mild visual impairment
- just find it easier to listen, rather than read
All you need to do to install this free software is click on the Browsealoud button above and follow the simple step-by-step guide.
Help with seeing, reading and setting your keyboard and mouse
If you need help with seeing the screen, language and reading or using your keyboard and mouse, for example setting the text colour and contrast or making your mouse pointer easier to see, please visit the BBC's My Web My Way where you will find step by step instructions on how to do this.
The Abilitynet website also provides lots of useful tools to help you make your computer easier to use. It looks at the many ways you can make your keyboard and mouse, Windows, the internet and your favourite applications suit you and your needs.
Changing text size
Please click on this button to the top right of this page to enlarge the text size. There are four text sizes available. Simply click three times to reach the largest text and click again to get back to standard text.
Changing constrast
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Please click on these buttons to the top right of this page to change the contrast of the text on the page. There are two different contrast settings to choose from. You can also reset the contrast using the top contrast button.
Best viewing experience
To ensure you have the best viewing experience browsing our site you need to ensure that you have your favourite/search/history right hand column closed, that you have maximised the web window and your resolution is set to 800 x 600 or greater.
Website structure
The menu bar, across the top of our website, displays the main information categories available for you to access. The links (buttons) to the left hand side give you access to additional information contained within the main categories.
Navigation sssistance: keyboard or mouse?
If you have restricted mobility or wish to avoid repetitive strain injury, you may find it useful to use your keyboard instead of your mouse to navigate our website. By using Tab and Enter on your keyboard, it is possible to navigate and access all areas of our website. The Tab key allows you to move and browse amongst the menus and links displayed on each page, and pressing Enter will activate your request for a particular menu or link. The arrow keys on the keyboard will enable you to move up or down the page or from left to right.
Useful tips for accessing information
PDF's
Throughout our website we use PDF (Portable Document Format) documents which are accessed by clicking on appropriate document links. To view a PDF document, you may need to download Acrobat Reader first. This is a free software package and is available by clicking on this image below:
Drop down menu bars
Throughout the website you may come across a drop down menu bar like this one. It will prompt you to select a category or choose an alternative option.
Please click on the arrow to the right of the drop down bar to display the full menu, click on the option you wish to view and then submit your request by clicking 'GO'.
Going back to the previous page
At the top left hand corner of your page (browser) you will see a back button. By simply clicking on this button you can retrace your steps through the pages you have already viewed on our website.