Accessibility

Our aim is to meet all priority 1 and 2 requirements of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0). Meeting this standard is commonly known as Level AA compliance.

To achieve this conformance level the site implements several methods to ensure content is easily accessible to a wide variety of users. You can read more and change your settings below.

Use of colour

This website enables you to alter the contrast of the screen by reversing the foreground and background colours, making the text easier to read. Select one of the options below to change the contrast setting:
High contrast | Standard colours

Where the meaning of text on the website is implied through the use of colour, there will always be associated text to indicate its meaning.

Text only

The website design includes the facility to remove images and style sheets, providing users with a simplified format. Select one of the options below to change the text only setting::
Text only | Display styles

Access keys

All functions on this site can be accessed using the keyboard only. Shortcut keys allow you to jump to different sections of the site.

S - Skip navigation
1 - Home page
2 - What's new
3 - Site map
4 - Search
6 - Help
8 - Terms and conditions
9 - Feedback form
0 - Access key details

How to use access keys in different browsers

Internet Explorer : 'Alt + access key number' and then 'return' to go to page
Firefox : 'Alt + Shift + access key number' to go to page
Opera : 'Shift + Escape' then 'access key number' to go to page
Google Chrome : 'Alt + accesskey number' to go to page
Netscape Navigator : 'Alt + accesskey number' to go to page
Safari : Windows - 'Alt + accesskey number' to go to page
Mac - 'Ctrl + accesskey number' to go to page

Skip to content

There is a skip to content link at the top of every web page which moves the focus to the start of the main content on a web page.

Images

All images on the website have alternative text (alt text), which is displayed when users have turned off images in their browser, or when they are using screen reader technology

The text contained in the alt text will depend on the reason for the image:

Content images - will have alternative text with a summary of the image
Images used as links - will have alternative text with a summary of the image
Decorative images - will be given empty alternative text, so that they are silent when a screen reader reads the page

Valid HTML

The web pages on this site have been passed through a HTML Validator, which checks for any incorrect programming code against the W3C standards. Sites that pass these validation checks will be read more easily by screen reader technologies.

Header elements

Every web page within the site has appropriate headings, and where applicable subheadings. The headings provide logical breaks in the content and are indicated to users using screen reader technologies.

Field labels

All data entry fields on the site have an associated label for clarity when using screen reader technologies

Sitemap

This website has a sitemap that lists all the pages on the site, providing the user with one click access to all web pages - Go to Sitemap

Navigating the site

You can move to different pages by using main categories on the menu bar at the top of each page. If you move your mouse over a button or link text you will notice the cursor change to a hand, this indicates that on selecting one of these options you will be directed to a different page.

Appropriate link and title text

Any text within the site that links to another page will clearly describe the new page; if you move your mouse over the text further information explaining the page will display in a standard tooltip.