Accessibility

We are continually working to make usability improvements to the website for all users. In some instances, content and functionality may be dependent on third party providers. We will endeavour to work with providers or seek alternatives where possible to meet our accessibility aims.

The site has been designed to adhere to best practice by following the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

Our aim is to be WAI WCAG level A compliant as a minimum, and will use best endeavours to meet AA where possible.

Our approach

We try our best to ensure we test with a range of technologies, but we can’t commit to testing every browser/operating system/assistive technology combination. We focus on testing with the latest major versions of the most popular browsers based on our user base.

We test using the following browsers and assistive technology combinations:

• Windows 10 – IE11 – JAWS
• Windows 10 – Firefox – NVDA
• Windows 10 – IE11 – ZoomText
• Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Mac OS Voiceover
• iOS Voiceover

There are a number of steps we have taken to address accessibility needs that are detailed below:

Page titles

Page titles are unique and are relevant to the content contained within the page.

Headings

Headings are relevant and descriptive. The heading structure is designed to provide a way of getting a logical overview of the page and allowing screen readers to jump to areas of interest.

Language

Language should be clear and easy to understand.

Links and navigation

The wording for text links will be carefully chosen so that each link clearly indicates the destination and is easy to identify.
Links will not open in a new window as a general rule. Where they do, it will be to provide additional information to support an activity e.g. determining a grid reference.

Content

We are committed to providing transcripts and/or subtitles for key pieces of new video content available on the website where possible. We are using YouTube descriptions and captioning. These captions can be accessed by clicking the 'CC' button within the video player.

Document downloads

There are a number of PDF documents available for download across the site. You can find out more about how to configure the free Adobe Reader software to obtain greater access to PDF files by visiting the Adobe site.

Download Adobe Reader for free

In order to avoid any conflict with personal access keys you may have set up on your computer, we have chosen not to install bespoke access keys on this site. Efforts have been made to ensure the site is as easy to navigate as possible.

Fonts and text sizes

Text size can be increased or decreased if it is not suitable for easy reading. Use your browser settings to adjust the size.

Follow these steps for making changes in popular browsers:

Microsoft Internet Explorer

• select 'view' from the menu at the top of the browser window.
• a list of options will appear in the drop-down menu, choose 'text size'.
• another drop-down menu will appear with options including 'smallest', 'small', 'medium', 'large', 'largest'.
• select the desired text display size.

Mozilla Firefox

• hold down the Ctrl button on your keyboard and press the plus (+) key to enlarge or the (-) key to reduce text size.
• holding the Ctrl button down while scrolling with the mouse wheel is an alternative option.

Apple Safari

• hold down the Apple key and press the (+) key.
• you will find that this will enlarge the text. To enlarge further repeat the procedure.
• if you need to make the text smaller press the Apple key on your keyboard and press the (-) key.

Google Chrome

• hold down the Ctrl button on your keyboard and press the plus (+) key to enlarge or the (-) key to reduce text size.
• holding the Ctrl button down while scrolling with the mouse wheel is an alternative method.
• or click on the three vertical dots at top of browser window and select 'Settings', then 'Appearance' and adjust font size from drop-down.

Other measures

We have designed pages and chosen colours to provide good contrast between text and its background, and avoid combinations that are known to cause difficulties for people with colour blindness. We also apply appropriate contrasts levels to other non-text elements such as tab focus indicators.

Images

Alt text (alternative text) is a phrase which describes an image's content for users deploying screen readers.

We use descriptive alt text wherever an image conveys essential information in the context of the overall page content. Where an image is decorative, we do not include alt text.

Forms

We have designed the forms on our site to make it easier to complete for all users.

Progress bar

Where we have multi stage forms, a progress bar will be used and a clear indication of the current stage in the form sequence will be given to assisted technology users.

Tab order

The tab order between each element of the form and between form stages will be logical.

Required information

The information required for each form field will be clearly labelled. All fields will be treated as mandatory by default. Optional fields will be identified as such.

Feedback on validation

Feedback on data entered in a form will be grouped and clearly highlighted as requiring attention with a clear description on the required action. Moving to correct the errors will be simple for assistive technology users.