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    Accessibility

    Using the Site

    We have aimed to create sites that are available to everyone including those with sight, audio and motor impairment restrictions.

    We aim to use a web font so all text is easy to read.
    We have appropriate alt tags for images to convey information.
    We ensure that navigation through our websites works in a consistent way.
    We do not rely on just colour as the only way of giving information.
    We avoid the use of images of text wherever possible, and provide equivalent text links that consist of images.

    Here are a few helpful ways in which you can start using the website more easily.

    To enlarge text and images on the site

    On a PC:

    • Hold down the 'Ctrl' key and press '+' to enlarge.
    • Hold down the 'Ctrl' key and press '-' to reduce.
    • To reset hold down 'Ctrl' and press '0'.

    On an Apple Macintosh computer hold the 'Cmd' (Apple) key instead of 'Ctrl'.

    Browser accessibility options

    Each browser has different methods for font size, formatting, and screen color options:

    Google Chrome accessibility options, under the Chrome Browser Resources section.
    Internet Explorer accessibility options.
    Mozilla Firefox accessibilty options.

    The BBC also has information on how to customise your computer, and your browser, to make them more accessible in their 'My web my way' section.

    How the Site is built for Accessibility
    Standards

    All pages on this site are WCAG AA approved, complying with all priority 1 and 2 guidelines of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2. Whilst we would like to say this is categorically so it is a judgement call; many guidelines are intentionally vague and can not be tested automatically. We have reviewed all the guidelines and believe that all these pages are in compliance.

    We strive to make all pages validate to a W3C formal grammar (XHTML Strict or HTML 5).

    Layout

    The site uses Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to control all of the presentation and layout. Tables are used only to present data.

    As a result screen reader users can use the screen reader's navigation key to get around the site. If you are listening to the site, menus are grouped together in a more logical fashion.

    Content

    The content has been written and formatted to make it accessible. For example:

    Headings highlight sections of text (a h1 starts the content area of each page).
    Sentences are short with the meaning at the beginning.
    Links use meaningful text.
    Forms can be navigated using the tab key.

    Contact

    If you are experiencing difficulties accessing the site, or have any comments, please do not hesitate to contact customer services on 020 7661 4006.

    Monday to Saturday: 9am to 8pm.
    Sunday: 10am to 5pm.