Site Help

Ways to improve your access to this site

There are many simple ways to improve your access to this site. For example, getting around and selecting links without a mouse or increasing the text size on screen by using keystrokes and/or menu options in your browser. The operating system of your computer can also offer assistive options to help you use the Internet. For example, a magnifier may be available and options for choosing a larger coloured mouse pointer.

Below are some links which might help you. Although accessibility is structured into this site, further accessibility assistance can be found within your browser software, in the operating system of your computer or with other 3rd party software/hardware sometimes called assistive technology.

About this Site

The Disability Support Services site is designed to comply with web standards that have been developed by the World Wide Web Consortium. This site has been correctly validated to follow the specifications of XHTML 1.0 Strict and CSS2 technologies.

This site conforms to the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Conformance level Double-A.

Getting Around this Site

Breadcrumbs

'Breadcrumb' trails can be seen on the top of any page. They are used to assist navigation and orientation. They allow you to keep track of where you are and where you go. This can also help you return to the home page quickly. Use them to augment your navigation.

Skip Navigation Link

This link is situated at the top of every page in this site. It will allow you to skip over all the navigational links, taking you directly to the page content.

Keyboard Navigation or Tab Index

All navigation and other links on this site can be selected with the tab key. When arriving at a page the first tab keystroke will highlight the site address in the address (URL) bar in your browser. Subsequent tab keystokes will select each link in a sequential manner down the page. All navigational links are selected first. When you select the link required press ENTER to activate the link.

Alternative text or title

All images on this site have an alternative text (ALT or TITLE) attribute that describes an image. This will pop up a small window "tool tip" in certain browsers when the mouse pointer is moved over the image. For any text only browsers, where images are turned off, this description will appear to indicate the image's meaning or function.

Customise your browser

You can control how a web browser displays information. This includes changing the font type and size, foreground and background colours, the colour of hyperlinks, and using keyboard shortcuts.

For more information on how to customise your browser type in 'accessibility' or 'customization' in the Help index of your browser. It is recommended that you upgrade your browser if required as newer browsers contain more accessibility and useability features.

Adjusting Text size on this Site

Because the site was designed with CSS you can increase the text size. The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative provides more information on how to change text sizes and colours on your browser.

PC Users

In Internet Explorer go to View | Text Size (keyboard shortcut is [Alt][V] then X. Then arrow up or down or choose a size.
In Netscape [Control][+] will increase text size and [Control][-] will decrease text size.
In Firefox [Control][+] will increase text size and [Control][-] will decrease text size.

Mac Users

In Internet Explorer Apple[+] will increase the text size and Apple[-] will decrease.
In Netscape Apple[+] will increase the text size and Apple[-] will decrease.
In Safari Apple[+] will increase the text size and Apple[-] will decrease.

Customise your computer

There are many ways to make your computer easier to use by customising many of its features. You can make your keyboard, mouse, Windows, the internet and your favourite applications suit you and your needs. This may include using specific keystrokes instead of the mouse or making the mouse pointer easier to see on screen. Search on 'accesssibility' or 'customization' in the help index of your operating system.

PC Users

Adapting and tailoring the computer to your needs is often not complex and can involve the software and settings already on your computer. Ability Net provides tutorials for help with seeing the screen and using the keyboard and mouse.

MAC Users

Information on accessibility can be found at the Apple Website.

Use assistive technologies

A range of adaptive technologies can be used to enhance your access to information on this site. These include equipment which is purpose built or modified to help people with disabilities to access the web. See Option Keys: Solutions for more information.

Plug Ins

Plug-ins are software programs that your computer will need to access particular files on this site. They are available for free.

Adobe Acrobat reader for PDFs

PDF files are formatted with Adobe Acrobat to enable documents to be saved as read only (that is they cannot be changed or overwritten). They are read with Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded free from the internet,

If you need accessibility and search features, be sure to select the full Reader, which offers these features. Once you have downloaded and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader, you should be able to view a PDF automatically in a browser window when you click on a PDF link.

To learn more about Adobe's accessibility features, and for an easy path to downloading Adobe Reader, you can go to access.adobe.com. For more detailed information about PDF technical requirements and troubleshooting visit Adobe's main site.

Plain text web page alternatives are always provided to PDF files on this site.

Browser Information and Upgrading

A browser is a software program that allows you to access and view the Internet. Some examples are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Safari and Opera.

If you are using an older browser you should upgrade. Newer browers include more accessibility and usability features. These upgrades are free.

The following browsers support numerous web standards including CSS, XHTML, and the DOM (a universal means of controlling the behaviour of web pages:

For more detailed information on browsers W3CSchools maintains an informative page.

This site is built to work on any modern CSS compatible browser. However, if your browser or browsing device does not support stylesheets at all, the content of each page is still readable.

Your monitor should be set at no less than 800 x 600 resolution.

Print stylesheet

There is a print stylesheet attached to each page on this site. This stylesheet allows better presentation of a printed web page. The menus will not print on the page. To print a page use File>Print from the top menu in the browser. Use File>Print Preview to view the page before printing if required.

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