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Accessibility
This page contains useful information to help you get the information you need from our website.
Make this website talk
Browsealoud-enabled
Our website is now speech-enabled with Browsealoud|, which means you can download free Browsealoud software| onto your computer and, once installed, have content on the site read aloud to you.
Download the Browsealoud plug-in
Once you download the software simply complete the easy set-up process (on-screen instructions will guide you through this). To make the website talk, simply move the mouse cursor over text and it is spoken aloud. You have control over the voice, word pronunciations and speech highlighting.
Why speech enable our website?
We want our website to be as accessible as possible, to all people. In the UK, 7 million people have literacy problems, so speech enabling our website provides an additional way for our content to be accessible. This includes those with dyslexia or learning difficulties, those for whom English is not their first language, or anyone with a mild visual impairment. It is not designed to replace other screen readers. Browsealoud| will read every web page on our site and can also read PDF files.
Can I customise Browsealoud?
Yes. Once downloaded, look for the Browsealoud icon in your taskbar (which usually runs along the bottom of the screen). Right click on the icon and choose 'open browsealoud settings' from the menu. The speech tab on the settings window lets you to choose various male or female voices, change the speed, pitch and volume of the reader. To read the entire page from where your cursor points, check the 'Continue reading from pointer' box, otherwise Browsealoud will only read the individual sentences you point to.
For further help and assistance with Browsealoud take a look at the FAQs on the Browsealoud website|.
Ease of use
This site has been designed for use by all members of the community, whether experienced internet users or not. The layout has been created with visually impaired users in mind and is fully compatible with all types of browser-reading software. The site can be navigated using the keyboard alone, making it easier to use for disabled people.
Increasing text size
Some users might find screen text easier to read by increasing the size at which text is displayed. To do this simply adjust your browser's settings. If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer go to the VIEW menu, select TEXT SIZE and then either LARGER or LARGEST. If you use Netscape Navigator go to the VIEW menu and choose INCREASE FONT until the text is whatever size you require.
PDF files and Microsoft Word documents
Documents are often provided in PDF format. PDFs (portable document format) are suited to downloading and printing. To view a PDF your browser needs a plug-in called the Acrobat Reader. This can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website|.
If you do not own a copy of Microsoft Word, a free viewer is available to download from the Microsoft website|.
