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.

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

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 website 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. 

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:

1. Going to the 'Tools' menu at the top of the page
2. Selecting 'Options...' from that menu
3. 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)