Accessibility

A “Skip Navigation” link is provided at the top of each page to enable users with screen readers to go directly to important content on the page. It is hidden from regular view but can be seen with styles turned off or by screen readers.

A text-only site map provides links to all the main areas and sub-areas of the website in a more accessible format. The sitemap is located at the bottom of the page or in the skip link for screen readers.

All navigation will still function without JavaScript. JavaScript only enhances the experience for users with JavaScript turned on.

Links

All links are text-based. If an image is used for a link, certain techniques are used to keep the text within the code so that the link is still text-friendly for screen readers, text-based browsers and users who browse with styles off (this includes consoles that cannot render cascading style sheets).

All link rollovers are contrasted so that they are distinguished from regular text and headlines that are not clickable.

Link content text is contextual where possible to make navigation easier for screen readers.

Images

A text description has been added to each image within alt and/or title tags. This will assist screen readers and users who browse the internet with images off.

Forms

All forms are built with accessibility in mind, including:

The use of the label tag. The label specifically associates a piece of text with a form field which is beneficial for screen readers. Also, if text within a label is clicked, the associated form field is brought into focus which increases general usability.

Tab indexing. This allows the navigation of a form with the keyboard by tabbing through in a logical, assigned order.

Form validation. If a form is submitted incorrectly, an error message is returned which informs the user of missing information clearly and logically.

Text Size

In Internet Explorer, click the ‘View’ menu, then select ‘Text Size’ and then choose larger or largest (the default is medium).

Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key and scroll the mouse wheel (if you have one).

In Internet Explorer 7, you can also use the Page Zoom feature: click ‘Tools’ then ‘Zoom’. You can then increase or decrease the page’s zoom level. Zoom differs from text resize in that it changes the size of all content, not just text.

In Firefox, click the ‘View’ menu, then select ‘Text Size’ and then choose whether you would like to increase the size (increase) or decrease the size (decrease).

Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key and at the same time, push the – or + key.

Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key and scroll the mouse wheel (if you have one).

In Chrome, click the Settings menu, then select ‘Under the Hood’ to choose whether you would like to increase (very large) or decrease the text size (very small).

Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key and at the same time, push the – or + key.

Alternatively, hold down the Ctrl key and scroll the mouse wheel (if you have one).

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