Accessibility

General aims

We intend that our web site should meet high standards of usability and accessibility - that it can be readily navigated and read by a broad audience, using various systems, and that it takes account of the needs of users with disabilities.

The site should download quickly - we only use images where they add value to the content - and should be compatible, and display correctly, with various screen sizes and resolutions (we don't design for a fixed screen size) and web browsers. Fonts should display consistently across common web browsers and platforms, and users should be able to re-size fonts to suit their own preferences. The site should be compatible with text-only browsers and screen reading software.

Keyboard access information

We have provided a series of keyboard shortcuts intended to help users who have difficulty in using pointing devices such as a mouse. These follow the UK Government access key system and the following information summarises each of the keyboard shortcut commands currently available (we may expand this as the site continues to develop).

Depending on your browser type use one of the following:

A. With Windows-based systems, in general, press the "Alt" key and the relevant access key:

• if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4 then press "Alt" and the relevant number/letter at the same time
• if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 or 6 then press "Alt" and the relevant number/letter, then press the "Enter" key
• if you are using Netscape version 6 or later, or Mozilla, then press "Alt" and the relevant number/letter at the same time

B. With Macintosh-based systems, press the "Ctrl" key and the relevant access key

If you have any queries or difficulties or if you use this facility and wish to suggest improvements, please e-mail contact the webmaster.