Web accessibility
This page provides advice and help to all those people who would benefit from making changes to their browser, operating system, or computer to be able to view the Sedgemore Shires web page in a more accessible way.
There are a number of options available to help you access web-site. The guide below explains how you can modify your settings to increase accessibility.
The full examples given are for Internet Explorer, Sedgemoor Shire’s preferred browser for internet use. There are links to information for settings for other browsers. If you want more added, please contact the Sedgemoor Shires web page author.
Text Sizes
Internet Explorer's Scalable Text
To use Internet Explorer's Scalable Text click the 'View' menu then the 'Text Size' option and then the text size of your choice. This should increase/decrease the size of FONT on sites that meet Sedgemoor Shires web publishing standards.
If you have difficulties with some sites not scaling properly try changing the following option in Internet Explorer:
- Go to the 'Tools' menu and then 'Internet Options...'
- From the pop up window that appears select the 'Accessibility' button in the bottom right corner.
- Click the box next to 'Ignore font sizes specified on Web pages', click the 'OK' button and then close the 'Internet Options' window.
- You should now be able to use Internet Explorer's Scalable Text (see above).
You can also choose your own Fonts face by choosing Tools, Internet Options and the Fonts button and by selecting the font from the drop down menu. This will only work where sites meet Sedgemoor Shires’s web publishing standards.
Colours
It is possible to change the colours used through your browser. The following will guide you through how to do this in Internet Explorer.
Changing Colours in Internet Explorer - Simplifying Colour
- Go to the 'Tools' menu and then 'Internet Options...'
- From the pop up window that appears select the 'Accessibility' button in the bottom right corner as shown below.
- Click the box next to 'Ignore colours specified on Web pages' click the 'OK' button and then close the 'Internet Options' window.
- This will remove the majority of colours throughout the site giving you a simple colour scheme.
Changing Colours in Internet Explorer - Setting Your Own Colours
- Go to the 'Tools' menu and then 'Internet Options...'
- From the pop up window that appears select the Colours button in the left right corner as shown below.
- Click the 'Use Windows colours so that it is un-ticked. Select the 'Text' colour and 'Background' colour of your choice and then click 'OK'. Close the 'Internet Options' window.
- You should now be able to see the site in your chosen colours. If you are unsure about making these changes please consult your machine vendor.
Keyboard Navigation
Keyboard Navigation using Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer provides keyboard access to most navigation functions, the most relevant ones are listed here, for more information please refer the online help within Internet Explorer.
- To move forward through active items (images, links & buttons) in a page: TAB
- To move backwards through active items (images, links & buttons) in a page: SHIFT + TAB
- To move forward one page in your browser's history: ALT + RIGHT ARROW
- To move backwards one page in your browser's history: ALT + LEFT ARROW
- To scroll towards the beginning of a document: UP ARROW
- To scroll towards the end of a document: DOWN ARROW
- To scroll towards the beginning of a document in larger steps: PAGE UP
- To scroll towards the end of a document in larger steps: PAGE DOWN
- To move to the beginning of a document: HOME
- To move to the end of a document: END
For more information about changing your Internet Explorer setup please visit the Microsoft support website.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox 1.5 delivers easier navigation for users who are visually or motor-impaired. Firefox supports DHTML accessibility, which, when enabled by users, allows web applications to be read aloud. Users may navigate with keystrokes rather than mouse clicks, reducing the tabbing required to navigate documents such as spreadsheets.
For further information please visit:
Changing Firefox settings,
Other accessibility tools provided by Microsoft
Windows Magnifer
The Windows Magnifier enables text to be increased to a very large size. It is, however, restricted to a small portion of the screen and hence most vision impaired people would find that they would require to purchase fully-functional magnification software.
For more information on using the Windows magnifer please visit:
AbilityNet – using the Windows magnifer.
Making your computer talk with Windows Narrator
Narrator is a basic screen reading programme for people who have low vision. Narrator reads what is displayed on the screen—the contents of the active window, menu options, or text that has been typed.
It is, however a basic application and will perform with some programmes, hence most visually impaired people would find that they might require to purchase screen reader software such as Jaws or Window eyes.
For more information on using Windows Narrator please visit:
Microsoft’s -How to turn on and use Narrator page
More information on web accessibility/useful links
Microsoft offer training on their operating systems, Internet Explorer, Outlook and more please visit Microsoft’s Accessibility tutorials
The British Dyslexia Association website includes information on resources, local support and publications.
The AbilityNet website has information, fact sheets and step-by-step guides on approaches and technology to help with language and reading difficulties.
If you are deaf or have difficulty hearing sounds from the computer, you can quickly set sound options using the Windows Accessibility Wizard.
Please visit Microsoft’s guidance for people who have hearing difficulties.
