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Help
Practical Help:
Maintaining an accessible site is an ongoing process and we are continually working to offer a user friendly experience. However, if you have any problems using this web site please contact us by using the feedback form provided here.
If you are new to computers, networks and the internet, a good place to start is the BBC WebWise site. For advice on how to use the internet visit your local library or a UK Online centre. These have been set up to help everyone in the UK who wants to learn how to access to the internet.
Click here to go to BBC Webwise
Click here to go to Direct Gov: Learning for fun and over 50's
We have made every effort to make this site accessible and easy to use for everyone, no matter what browser you choose to use, and whether or not you have any disabilities. If you have difficulties using a mouse, the site can be navigated using only a keyboard.
All pages on this site should be valid to Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) 4.01 Transitional and use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
Cookies
Many websites use cookies to "remember" information about visitors. A cookie is a program sent by the server to your computer. It makes it more convenient for you by allowing you to visit pages within a site without having to reintroduce yourself with each mouse click.
Accessible technology
A good place to visit and learn about making computers easier to use and the types of software available for disabled users is the main UK government online site, the 'Direct Gov:'
Accessible technology (disabled people section)
Software to open documents
This website links to documents and files in a number of formats. You may need special software to read some of these files.
The links below enable you to download free software to allow you to open these files.
Microsoft Word viewer
Microsoft Excel viewer
Microsoft Powerpoint viewer
Help with Flash files
Media players
Windows Media Player
Real Player
Quicktime
Recommended browsers
Windows
MS Internet Explorer 7.05 (on Windows XP) MS Internet Explorer 5.01 SP2 and 5.5 SP2 (on Windows 98, Windows NT 4 SP 6a, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) (Internet Explorer users are advised to upgrade to version 6.0 or above for the best printing options) MS Internet Explorer 6.0 (on Windows 98, Windows NT 4 SP 6a, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) Netscape Navigator 6.x (on Windows 98, Windows NT 4 SP 6a, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) Netscape Navigator 7.0, 7.2 and 8.0 (on Windows 98, Windows NT 4 SP 6a, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) Opera 6.01, 7.2, 8.0 and 8.5 (on Windows 98, Windows NT 4 SP 6a, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) Lynx 2.8.3 (on Windows 98, Windows NT 4 SP 6a, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) JAWS 7.10 (on Windows 98, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP) Mozilla Firefox 1.07, 1.5 Mozilla 1.0 to 1.5, 1.6, 1.7
Macintosh
MS Internet Explorer 5.1 Mac Edition (on Mac OS 9 and OS X) MS Internet Explorer 5.2 Mac Edition (on Mac OS X) Netscape Navigator 6.2.2 (on Linux RedHat 9) Netscape Navigator 7.0.2 (on Linux RedHat 9) Netscape Navigator 6.2.2 Mac Edition (on Mac OS X) Netscape Navigator 7.0, 7.2 and 8.0 (on Mac OS X) Opera 6.01, 7.2, 8.0 and 8.5 (on Mac OS X) Lynx 2 Safari 1.2 (OS X) Safari 2.0 (OS X) Mozilla Firefox 1.07, 1.5
Linux
Netscape Navigator 6.2.2 (on Linux RedHat 9) Netscape Navigator 7.0.2 (on Linux RedHat 9)
Other browsers
This site has been designed to support as wide a variety of browser and operating system combinations as possible. If you are not using one of the browsers above you should be able to access the site and use the pages but it might not display the site as designed, nor provide you with the best experience of using the website.
Upgrading browsers
We would recommend upgrading your browser as far as your computer allows. Later versions of browsers often have higher levels of security and better functions.
Most browser suppliers will allow you to upgrade for free. Visit the browser's website to find out about the latest versions and to download them. Browser downloads are very large; many browsers are also available on CDs such as those distributed by computer magazines.
Firefox
Internet Explorer
Netscape
Opera
Why doesn't my browser display the website properly?
In order to support as wide a range of browsers as possible and allow users of all abilities (including those with a visual impairment or physical disability) to access this website, it has been developed according to recognised standards set down by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). One of these standards is for the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS2) so that the site supports any browser that in turn supports this standard. Some browsers, particularly earlier versions, either do not or only partially support, this standard. These browsers might not display the text and graphics properly.
Screen resolutions
You can set your computer to display different screen resolutions. The site has been designed to work best in 800 x 600 pixels and 1024 x 768 pixel resolutions. For information on adjusting the display resolution try the help files in your operating system or consult the manufacturer's website.
Screen colours
Depending on your computer you can also control the number of colours displayed on your screen.
Browser-specific settings:
Internet Explorer 5/6 Increasing the size of the text Some users find screen text easier to read by increasing the size that the text is displayed. To do this in Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to the 'View menu', select 'Text Size' and then select either 'Larger' or 'Largest'. Changing the display on the screen Tick the box 'Ignore colors specified on Web pages' Internet Explorer provides other ways in which you can fine-tune how a page displays on your screen. For example you can remove the background colours and choose which colours to have text, links and visited links displayed. You can make these changes by: Going to the 'Tools' menu at the top of the page Selecting 'Internet Options...' from that menu Clicking the 'Accessibility...' button Then tick the box 'Ignore colors specified on Web pages'. Then click the 'OK' button. This will switch off the background colours. You can choose the colours of text and links Un-tick the box 'Use Windows colors'. You can then specify which colours you would prefer to be displayed for the text and for links. You can also specify colours to be used for links your have previously visited and links when your mouse hovers over them. More details on accessibility in Internet Explorer Microsoft publishes detailed information on the accessibility features of the Internet Explorer 6 web browser and other Microsoft software. Accessibility and Internet Explorer 6 (opens new window)
Firefox:
Increasing the size of the text To do this in Firefox, go to the 'View menu', select 'Text Size' and then select 'Increase'. You can have the same effect by using the keyboard and press the keys 'Ctrl' and '+' at the same time. Changing the display on the screen Firefox provides other ways in which you can fine-tune how a page displays on your screen. For example you can change the background colours and choose which colours to have text, links and visited links displayed. You can make these changes by: Going to the 'Tools' menu at the top of the page Selecting 'Options...' from that menu Clicking the 'Font & Colors...' button On the 'Font & colors' box you can over-ride the colours used by this site by ticking the boxes marked 'Always use my: Fonts' and 'Always use my: Colors'. You can specify which colours you prefer text and links to be displayed in, and which background colour should show on the page. You can also choose colours to be used for links your have previously visited and links when your mouse hovers over them.
More details on accessibility in Firefox
Firefox publishes detailed information on how to adjust the display of their browser.
Display options in Firefox (opens new window)
