How to use this site

1. How do I find my way around the site (including information for screen readers)?
2. Which web browser am I using?
3. How do I change the text size in Internet Explorer?
4. How do I change the text size in Netscape Navigator?
5. How do I change the text size in Opera ?
6. How do I access PDF files?
7. How do I update my web browser?
8. What is Opera 7?
9. How can I find out more about adapting my computer?

How do I find my way around the site (including information for screen readers)?

To help find your way around this web site you will find a menu on the left hand side. By using this menu you can go to various sections and pages.

When you select a menu option a sub-menu may open underneath. You should notice that all submenus are indicated by a light blue colour, so that you can clearly see their relationship to the parent option.

If you are using a screen reader the menu options appear as a list, the sub-menus appear as a nested, unordered list.

Screen readers

In order to help you navigate round the site easily when using a screen reader, please note the following points.

This site uses HTML tables to create a two or three column layout.  If you prefer to have a linearised version i.e. words in one line, then we advise you to use the text only version of the site. 

All our pages follow the same structure and layout:

• Viewing Options and breadcrumb trail indicating which page you are on
• a decorative banner
• Contact Us, Your Feedback, Site Map and Search. 
• Main Menu (List with sub menus as a nested list)
• Content is always located in the middle column. Some pages also have a third column which includes further information and features.

Skip Navs

There are two skip navigations at the start of each document.

• Skip to Main Content
• Skip to Search

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Which web browser am I using?

If you're not sure which browser you are using you can usually find out by going to the help menu (Alt +H) and selecting the last menu option (use the arrow keys). This will usually provide information about your browser, including version number.

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How do I change the text size in Internet Explorer?

1. Choose  View (Alt+V) / Text Sizing (T) from the main browser toolbar:  Select which size you prefer (Use the up and down keys and press enter).

Adjusting the text size on all web pages you access

Some websites have "hard-coded" the size of their text and as a consequence these websites will not reflect the change you have just made. If you would like your preferences to be reflected on other sites you visit please follow these steps:

1. Select Tools (Alt+T)  / Internet Options (O) on the main toolbar then select
 General and choose the Accessibility (Alt+E)  button
2. Check the box: Ignore font sizes specified in Web pages (Alt+Z)
3. Choose OK (Press Enter Twice)

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How do I change the text size in Netscape Navigator?

1. Choose  View (Alt+V) / Text Sizing (Z) from the main browser toolbar:  Select which size you prefer (Use the up and down keys and press enter to select).

Adjusting the text size on all web pages you access

Some websites have "hard-coded" the size of their text and as a consequence these websites will not reflect the change you have just made. If you would like your preferences to be reflected on other sites you visit please follow these steps:

1. Choose Edit (Alt+E) on the main toolbar, choose Preferences (E) 
2. From the left tree menu, choose Appearance, then Fonts (Use arrow keys)
3. Check the radio button in front of "Use my default fonts, overriding document-specified fonts" (Enter)
   Choose OK (Enter)

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How do I change the text size in Opera ?

Opera can increase the size of images as well as text.

You can quickly increase or decrease the size of both text and graphics using the numberpad + and - keys.

Adjusting the text size on all web pages you access

1. Go to File > Preferences or by press Alt+F.
2. Select the Preferences option with the mouse or by pressing R.
3. Select "Page Style" from the list with the mouse or by using the down arrow key.
4. Select the "Default Zoom" of your choice with the mouse or by pressing Z and using the up and down arrows.
5. Select the OK button with the mouse or by pressing Enter.

Method 2

Some websites have "hard-coded" the size of their text and as a consequence these websites will not reflect the change you have just made. If you would like your preferences to be reflected on other sites you visit please follow these steps:

1. Open the File or by pressing Alt+F.
2. Select the Preferences option or by pressing R.
3. Select "Page Style" from the list or by using the down arrow key.
4. Select the "Default Zoom" of your choice or by pressing Z and using the up and down arrows.
5. Select the "My fonts and colours" option with the mouse or by pressing Alt+C.
6. Select the OK button with the mouse or by pressing Enter.

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How do I access PDF files?

Portable Document Format (PDF) files preserve all the fonts, formatting, graphics, and color of a printed document once it is placed on a website. Several documents on our website are provided in PDF format, although we have included the Word file where possible. PDF files require the free Adobe® Acrobat Readersoftware for viewing. If you have a visual impairment, please visit access.adobe.com for help in working more effectively with PDF files.

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How do I update my web browser?

Most web pages are best viewed by using recent versions of Internet browsers. If you are using an older browser version, you may have trouble viewing certain web pages.

You can find out what version of your browser you are using by choosing "Help" at the top of your browser and "About (your browser)".

Internet Explorer: You can download a more recent version for free at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads.

Netscape Communicator: You can download a more recent version for free at http://home.netscape.com/computing/download.

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What is Opera 7?

Opera is a free web browser with some useful accessibility features, for example Opera will allow you to re-size images as well as text. For more information or to download please visit http://www.opera.com/.

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How can I find out more about adapting my computer?

AbilityNet has an excellent website called My Computer, My Way, which provides excellent information about how to adapt your PC. Visit the site on http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway/