Accessibility

This help page is designed to give you information that is specific to accessing the NS Online website and is not an exhaustive reference guide to the subject of accessibility. There is a great deal more help and information available as well as assistive technologies and we have linked to some of the best sources of information under the Related links section.

About accessibility

To be accessible this website must be as easy to use and understand for as many visitors as possible. The National Strategies realise the importance of ensuring this and have undergone an Accessibility Audit by Shaw Trust.

This website conforms to the UK government guidelines for websites. It also follows the Worldwide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, meeting all level double-A checkpoints.

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 website please contact us.

Browsers

This website has been designed to support as wide a variety of browser and operating system combinations as possible. 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 and are more likely to work with assistive technologies such as screen readers. 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.

Changing text size and colour

You can change the font size and colour in your web browser. This may be useful for you if you have low vision, and need larger fonts or high contrast colours.

Contrast

You can change to the high contrast viewing option of this website by clicking on the contrast selector in the header area.

Keyboard navigation

You can use your keyboard to navigate through this site. Use your arrow keys to scroll up or down the page. You can use your Tab key to move between links, and press Return or Enter to select one. To go back to the previous page, use the Backspace key.

If you are using a Mac, you can move between links by holding down the ALT key and pressing the Tab key.

Access keys

We have set up some keyboard shortcuts as an alternative to navigating with the mouse:

S - Skip navigation
1 - Home page
3 - Sitemap
4 - Search
6 - Help
7 - Contact
8 - Terms and Conditions
9 - Feedback
0 - Access key detail

Unfortunately, different browsers use access keys in different ways. In general you need to hold down a key or two, and then press the access key you want.

On PCs:

Firefox 2: Hold down the SHIFT key and the ALT key and then press the number of the access key
Firefox 1.5 for PCs: Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key
Opera 9: Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.
Internet Explorer 5+: Hold down the ALT key, press the number of the access key, release both keys then press ENTER
Netscape 7: Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key
Netscape 6+: Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key

And for Macs:

Safari: Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key
Internet Explorer 5+: Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key