ACCESSIBILITY
We have tried to ensure that all pages on our website are accessible to as wide a range of users as possible, and are compatible with assistive technologies for disabled users.We believe the site meets the priority 1 checkpoints in the W3C's Web Content Accessibility guidelines. The assessment tools are described on the this website page.
There are two broad categories of accessibility concerns - visual and physical.
visual issues
We have tried to make the text easier to read and the navigation links easier to use by:- making Verdana the default font because most people find it is easier to read when there are several lines of text;
- allowing you to choose the FONT from a pre-determined selection. Note: if your favourite font is not listed, please write to the webmaster;
- allowing you to change the SIZE of the text;
- increasing the contrast between the text and the background;
- making the clickable links larger and more obvious;
- using multiple-columns where appropriate. Note, however, that this feature is only supported by modern 'standards-aware' browsers. Generally, Internet Explorer rates badly for 'standards-awareness', version 9 is better than previous versions, but does not support multiple columns.
physical issues
Some people are not able to use a mouse or other pointing device, and have to use the keyboard for navigating around the site. All web browsers allow the Tab key to be used to move the 'focus' from one area to another.There are two shortcomings with the standard browser arrangement. Firstly, the focus is usually marked by a dim dotted line (known as the 'focus rectangle') around the item, and is often hard to see - the effect depends on the browser. Secondly, The focus point usually starts at the top of the page and works its way down until it reaches the main navigation links on the left-hand side. It then passes through each of these items until it it reaches the items on the rest of the page.
We have tried to improve on this by making the focus rectangle more visible by making the dotted line thicker. We have also added four 'accesskey' points to act as shortcuts. See the 'Shortcuts' note below.
When you choose 'special' in the KEYBOARD option in the customise panel on this page, you activate the focus rectangle and the accesskeys.
Note that the focus rectangle enhancement doesn't work in Internet Explorer 7 (or IE8 in compatibility view).
The sitemap page provides ready keyboard access. In addition, on that page each of the main sections has been given an 'accesskey' as a shortcut.
ShortcutsThere are four shortcut keys available on most of the pages.
- Number 0 takes you to the accessibility page;
- Number 9 takes you to the sitemap page;
- Number 1 puts the focus on the left-hand navigation column. A number 1 inside a circle (a square with Internet Explorer 7 and 8) acts as a reminder.
- Number 2 puts the focus on to the main page. A number 2 inside a circle (a square with Internet Explorer 7 and 8) acts as a reminder.
To use these shortcuts, hold down the Alt key and press the appropriate key.
IMPORTANT. This DOES NOT work with the numeric keypad.Note about cookies
The values you set in the customise box above will be stored in cookies on your computer for use on this website. By clicking on 'Make the change' you are agreeing to the use of these cookies.
If these features do not satisfy your needs, or if we have not addressed an issue that affects you, please contact the webmaster who will do his best to accommodate your needs.