Help and accessibility

Accessibility

This web site has been designed to be as accessible as possible. However, we recognise that accessibility is a subjective experience and therefore we’d like to encourage you to let us know if you encounter any problems using the site. We will take action and respond as quickly as we can.

Site features

All text and image content used on this web site expand based on your preferred text-size set using your browser’s controls. You can “zoom in” to magnify the content using your browser’s font size settings.

If any aspect of the site’s layout causes you difficulty, it may be preferable for you to remove all “styles” completely, and adjust your browser settings as you require. Read on for useful links to accessibility help for different operating systems and browsers.

Accessibility help

Apple Universal Access overview

Information about Apple Mac OS X operating system accessibility features.

Microsoft accessibility

Information about Windows accessibility features.

Mozilla Firefox accessibility

Accessibility features of Firefox and links to further information.

Opera accessibility

Accessibility features of Opera with tutorials and help.

Internet Explorer 7 accessibility help

Tutorials and help for Internet Explorer 7 accessibility features.

Internet Explorer 6 accessibility tutorials

Tutorials and help for Internet Explorer 6 accessibility features.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Information and help towards a society where all disabled people can participate fully as equal citizens.

AbilityNet

Advice and information on all aspects making technology accessible for people with a disability or limiting condition.

Conformance and law

The web site conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (exceeding priority 2 checkpoints) from the Web Accessibility Initiative – part of the World Wide Web Consortium. In addition, the latest best practice techniques have also been used where appropriate.

In the UK it will exceed the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In addition, it also means that in the USA it conforms with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 and the Web specific portion of the Section 508 Amendment to The Rehabilitation Act 1973 if receiving funds or under contract with the US Federal Government.

Why design for accessibility?

Accessible design benefits all users not only disabled ones. Accessible design means that web sites are easier to use in every respect and better for search engines to index – everyone benefits from accessible web sites.

It is a popular misconception that web accessibility is just about disabled users such as the visually impaired. Not true! It also includes those with equally debilitating conditions such as dyslexia, color blindness, and mobility / dexterity impairment caused by conditions like arthritis.

In the UK, the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey, Winter 2004 suggests that as many as 20% of the working age population have disabilities that accessible web design can help.

In the USA, in 2001 an estimated 19.4% of civilians in the United States, totaling 48.9 million people, have a disability. It is estimated that now somewhere between 10% and 20% of the total browsing population are disabled in some way.

Accessibility information

• Individual countries’ policies and legislation relating to web accessibility
• Labour Force Survey relating to accessibility, 2004