Help
Site navigation
This site has consistent navigation so that you can learn how to navigate easily and quickly.
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The site map links to key sections and pages, and shows you the hierarchy of related content.
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The A-Z index provides an alphabetical list of links to key pages and resources. You can also use your own key words and see the context where a topic is mentioned.
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The search facility helps you to find specific information.
At the top of each page is a visible ‘Skip to content’ link. This allows screen reader and keyboard-only users to bypass navigation bars and begin reading content immediately.
Pages have HTML headings, so if you use a screen reader with an option to navigate through the page from heading to heading, you can do so.
Changing page display
Pages have been designed to allow you to enlarge text using your browser's 'resize text' feature. This site uses a flexible layout which allows you to resize the browser window without horizontal scrolling. Useful information on how to resize text in popular web browsers is available from the AbilityNet and the WebGuide.
Find out more about this site's customisation options.
Playing video clips
Video clips have been made available in three different formats
- Windows Media is available free from Microsoft.
- Real Media is available free from Real networks.
- Quicktime is available free from Apple.
Each clip is available in two resolutions
- LOW: For dialup and slow connections.
- HIGH: For broadband and fast connections.
Video clips play as standalone applications so you can use your keyboard if preferred. Full text of video clips are available as transcripts.
Screen magnifier users: If you use a screen magnifier it will automatically magnify the video player, but you may need to reduce the magnification level to reduce any distortion of the magnified video.
All of the important information is in the audio track for video clips, or in the transcripts. The video clips generally show individuals talking so individual descriptions of visual aspects have not been provided.
Links
Links fully describe their destination. If you use a screen reader, you can make sense of these links when they are listed out of context.
Activities
On the staff development area of the site, activities are provided, and as documents in Microsoft Word format. This means that you can download these files to your own computer, and tailor and complete them as and when you like. If you do not have Microsoft Word, the files should work in whatever word-processor you use.
The Word documents have proper semantic structure and should be compatible with screen readers such as JAWS.
Images
Embedded graphics are provided with appropriate alternative text which describes their purpose and meaning if you are using a screen reader, text only browser, or are browsing with images switched off. The background images used do not convey any meaning. Images are only used for text where it would be impossible to replicate type styles (such as the HEFCE logo).
Printing
This site automatically formats the web pages for print. The default style for printing uses Times New Roman and a portrait orientation. If you need to have a different font you can select and copy the text, and paste it in a word-processing application, such as Microsoft Word. You can then change the font and print from Word.
Web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 1.0
Pages conform to priority 1 and 2 guidelines of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0.