Accessibility
We have made every effort to make our website accessible and easy to use for everyone, no matter what browser you choose to use, and whether or not you have any disabilities.
Here are some of the site's features that should make it easier for you to access our information and services:
* all images have alternative text equivalents to ensure that people who cannot see images can still use the site
* our site has consistent navigation and structure to make it easy for you to find your way around it
* we use plain language and break text up where possible to make it easier and quicker to read
* you can change the font size from this page and also the homepage.
* you can view the site as a text view only.
The site's layout takes into account users who are blind or visually impaired. It is fully compatible with popular screen reading software. If you have difficulties using a mouse, the site can be navigated using only a keyboard.
Further information about our accesskeys
In technical language, all pages on this site should be valid to Hyper Text Mark-up Language (XHTML) 1.0 Transitional and use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). This website conforms to the Guidelines for UK government websites and supports the Worldwide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, Level A, to ensure a Web accessibility standard has been achieved and is maintained.
The site also meets the AA standard of the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
PDF files and accessibility
PDF file standards have improved over the years and have become more accessible through technologies like screen readers, navigation through the keyboard and enhanced screen viewing. The Adobe site provides information on how best to use these features. You may come across earlier versions of PDF files which are not so accessible.
Follow this link to read 'Adobe Acrobat 8.1 and Accessibility' [PDF] (182 kb)
To open PDF files, you need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Follow this link to download Adobe Reader:
www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
Further information
For further information on accessibility and the internet, please see the following website:
Web Accessibility Initiative: www.w3.org/WAI/
Guidelines for UK government websites:
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/resources/handbook/introduction.asp
If you are having difficult using this website, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us