The site's layout takes into account users who are blind or visually impaired. It is fully compatible with popular screen reading software.
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 UK government guidelines for websites. It also follows the Worldwide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, meeting most double-A checkpoints. We are currently updating some features of the site in order to meet all double-A checkpoints.
Maintaining an accessible site is an ongoing process and we are continually working to offer a user friendly experience. However, if you have any problems using this web site please contact us by email.
Change text sizes
You can also change the appearance and layout of this site, depending on the browser you are using. Below are guidelines for making changes to text size - which you can always undo.
Internet Explorer 7.0 (Windows)
Select the 'Page' menu, then 'Text Size', and then your chosen size (or if you have a mouse wheel simply hold down CTRL and roll the mouse wheel to alter the text size).
Internet Explorer 6.0 (Windows)
Select the 'View' menu, then 'Text Size', and then your chosen size (or if you have a mouse wheel simply hold down CTRL and roll the mouse wheel to alter the text size).
Internet Explorer 5.5 (Windows, Mac)
Select the 'View' menu, then 'Text Size', and then your chosen size (or if you have a mouse wheel simply hold down CTRL and roll the mouse wheel to alter the text size).
Firefox 1.0+, 1.5 & 2.0
Select the 'View' menu, then 'Text Size', and then select decrease or increase. Alternatively select CTRL + + or CTRL + -.
Opera 7.0+
Select the 'View' menu, then 'Zoom', and then select the percentage increase or decrease you require. Alternatively select CTRL + + or CTRL + -.
Safari 1.2+ (Mac)
Select the 'View' menu, then 'Make Text Bigger' or 'Make Text Smaller'. Alternatively select Apple + + or Apple + -.
This website links to documents and files in a number of formats. You may need special software to read some of these files.
Using Mouse Keys for interactive exercises
If you have difficulty using a mouse or trackpad for our interactive exercises, you can use Mouse Keys to control the mouse pointer using keys on a numeric keypad. You can even click the mouse button and hold it down to drag and drop items on the screen.
Windows 7 and Vista
Open 'Ease of Access Center' by clicking the 'Start' button, clicking 'Control Panel', clicking 'Ease of Access', and then clicking 'Ease of Access Center'. Click 'Make the mouse easier to use'. Under 'Control the mouse with the keyboard', select the 'Turn on Mouse Keys' check box.
Windows XP
To turn on Mouse Keys, open 'Accessibility Options', click the 'Mouse' tab, and then select the 'Use MouseKeys' check box.
Mac OS
Turn on Mouse Keys in 'Universal Access' preferences.
Moving the pointer using Mouse Keys
After you turn on Mouse Keys, you can use the numeric keypad to move the mouse.
| To move the mouse pointer | Press |
|---|---|
| Up and to the left | 7 |
| Up | 8 |
| Up and to the right | 9 |
| Left | 4 |
| Right | 6 |
| Down and to the left | 1 |
| Down | 2 |
| Down and to the right | 3 |
Clicking items using Mouse Keys
After moving the pointer using the numeric keypad, you can click items on your screen.
| To | Do this |
|---|---|
| Click an item | Point to the item, and then press 5 |
Dragging items using Mouse Keys
You can use the numeric keypad to press and hold the mouse button and to release it. This is helpful if you want to drag an item.
| To | Do this |
|---|---|
| Drag an item | Point to the item, and then press zero (0) |
| Drop the item | Point to the location where you want to move the item, and then press the decimal point (.) |
Note: In Windows XP to move the mouse pointer horizontally or vertically, press the arrow keys on your numeric keypad. To move the pointer diagonally, press 'Home', End', 'Page Up', or 'Page Down' on your numeric keypad. To hold down the mouse button, press the 'Insert' key on your numeric keypad and to release the mouse button, press the 'Delete' key on your numeric keypad.