Accessibility

Please follow the links below to find out how to make Windows software, and your computer hardware, easier to use.

Using access keys to navigate our website

The UK Government Access Keys Standard has been applied to this site. The keyboard shortcuts below can be used to go directly to specific pages:

S – Skip navigation

1 – Homepage

2 – Latest news

3 – Site map

4 – Search

5 – Contact us

6 – Accessibility

7 – Complaints procedure

8 – Terms and conditions

9 – Feedback form

0 – Access key details

Firefox 2+:Hold down the SHIFT key and the ALT key and then press the number of the access key.
Firefox 1.5: Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key.
Internet Explorer 5+:Hold down the ALT key, press the number of the access key, release both keys then press ENTER.
Internet Explorer 4:Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key.
Netscape 7:Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key.
Netscape 6+:Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key.
Netscape earlier versions:Access keys are not supported.
Opera 9:Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.
Safari 3+:Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key.

Firefox 2+:Hold down the CTRL key and then press the number of the access key.
Firefox 1.5:Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key.
Internet Explorer 5+:Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key.
Internet Explorer 4.5:Access keys are not supported.
Opera 9:Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.
Safari 3:Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key.
Safari 3:Hold down the CTRL and OPT keys and press the number of the access key.

As well as enabling access keys, we:

aim to write content that is straightforward and easy to follow
provide a feedback system that allows users to rate the content of each page. We continually review these ratings and respond accordingly
publish the changes we have made as a result of user feedback
continually gather feedback through website surveys
ensured that relevant PDF content appears in our search results
enable search results to be filtered by file type

provide contact details so users can get in touch to tell us about any difficulties they experience and ensure we can help them to find the information they are looking for
maintain a standard layout and navigation throughout the website
make a sitemap available which provides links to the main sections within the website
used a range of people to test our websites layout and design during its redesign

enable access keys that conform to UK Government Access Keys Standard
provide alternative text for all images, which provides a description of an image or its function. This is visible when the browser's image loading feature is turned off
have designed our website in a way that enables the text size to be increased by the user
make sure that our website pages can be printed out in large font face
use a content management system that upholds AA standards for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
use default colours that improve the readability of text (for example, black text on a white background)
ensure the Hyper Text Markup language (HTML) we use throughout the website creates a logical document structure (headings, paragraphs, and lists) that will be displayed effectively by browsers
use descriptive hyperlinks
use diagnostic tools to monitor our websites accessibility.