Website Accessibility Guidance

Website Accessibility for People with Disabilities

A Commitment to Accessibility

Swindon Borough Council is fully committed to making this website and it's content fully accessible to all members of society. Our aim is to ensure that everyone is able to read the details contained and that no one is disenfranchised for reasons of disability. The website has been carefully designed, and strict standards have been put in place, to ensure that users with disabilities can access the information contained within it.

Website Construction Standards

We have followed the guidelines set down by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) to ensure that, for example, the HTML code used facilitates the use of speech-output and other assistive technology.

We have used expandable text and contrasting colours, provided alternative text for all images where appropriate and we have structured the pages to make them easily readable. We have also tried to ensure that, in the construction of this website, we have allowed and catered for the various 'personal customisation choices' that can be achieved through the use of modern browser technology.

We hope that, throughout the website, you will find a consistent style and structure that will help with both website navigation and web page readability.

Using Online Forms

All online forms attached to this website have been produced using the same strict standards we have applied to the website. Our aim is to ensure that they too are compliant with accessibility standards and are easy to use.

Alternative Website Versions

While many people will use their Internet browser or other assistive technologies to customise the look of the website, we have also provided alternative versions of the website (see the links at the top of each web page to text only, printer friendly and different contrast versions).

Those with older browsers, with a slow Internet connection, or those working on different platforms, will find that the website loads quickly and displays properly.

Plug-in Technologies

We do not generally use proprietary publishing formats such as Shockwave, Flash or other media formats requiring third-party plug-ins.

Downloadable Documents

It is sometimes necessary to provide information within document formats that require a file to be downloaded. In order to publish large and/or complex documents, we have sometimes included Adobe (.pdf) and Microsoft Word (.doc) files.

Page-based Accessibility Help

At the foot of each web page within this website is a set of 'Accessibility Guideline Notes' which provide links to a website from which you can download the appropriate reader software and online accessibility tools.

Adobe Readers and Online Tools

A pdf reader is needed to view pdf files. A free Acrobat® reader may be obtained from the Adobe website (www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/readstep2.html).

For help to convert pdf files into HTML or ASCII text for improved accessibility, visit Adobe® Online Conversion Tools
(www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools).

Browser Window Formats

Please note that our standard is to ensure that all downloadable documents are opened in a new browser window. When finished with the downloadable document, close the new browser window to return to the original web page.

Government Specified Access Keys

Access keys are used by those that do not have ability to use a pointing device. Within this website we have adopted those specified by central government in the UK

Instructions

To use these Access Keys please follow the simple instructions below:

1. Just press and hold the 'Alt' key ('Control' Key on a Macintosh computer)
2. Press the required number or letter
3. Press the return key and let the browser do the rest

UK Government Standard Access Keys

The full list of short-cut keys is as follows:

Links to Other Websites

All links to other web sites will always be set to open in a new window. When you close the new browser window, you will return to the Swindon Borough Council website in the original browser window.

Help if you are using an Apple Mac

For full instructions on making use of the various versions of the Macintosh operating system's accessibility features, including resizing text, text-to-speech function and keyboard alternatives to mouse functions, visit the Apple website's section on disability at this address:

www.apple.com/disability

Why are Mac's different?

Macintosh use a different operating system to PC's. Mac's are used mainly by designers due to their simplicity and power with regard to print based work. Many home users prefer the Mac to the PC for these reasons.

The Browser and colour palette on a MAC is slightly different to those on a PC and as such, your website may look slightly different. Don't worry, the site will still work the same way.

Help if you are using Internet Explorer

To change the font and colour settings you must firstly:

• Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu - this will depend on your browser version.
• Select the Accessibility Option and click the three boxes displayed under formatting, so that they are now showing ticks.

If you want to change the type of text:

• Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu depending on your browser.
• Click on the Fonts button, choose your font from the drop-down menu under Web page font and click the OK button. Arial is one of the easiest fonts to read.

If you want to change the size of the text:

Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu depending on your browser.

• Click on the Accessibility button.
• Click the Ignore fonts now showing on web pages box so that it now shows a tick.
• Click OK.
• Click OK again to close Internet Options.
• Select the View option from the Menubar.
• Select the Text Size option, Choose your preferred text size.

If you want to use your own style sheet

As our website uses a style sheet, you may want to use your own version. In order to do this simply follow these steps.

• Click on Tools button
• Now click on Internet Options
• At the bottom of the Internet Options Panel, select the Accessibility button
• Under 'User Style Sheet', tick the 'format using my style sheet' box and select the style sheet you wish to use.

If you want to change the colour of the text or the background:

Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu depending on your browser.

Click on the Colours button and untick the box next to Use Windows colours.

• To change the colour of the text, click on the button to the right of Text ,choose your colour from the palette and click OK.
• To change the colour of the background, click on the button to the right of Background, choose your colour from the palette and click OK.

If you want to remove the images:

Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu depending on your browser.

• Select the Advanced tab at the top right hand corner of the box.
• Scroll down to the Multimedia heading.
• Untick the box next to Show Pictures.
• Click on the Apply button and then click on the OK button.

For more information visit the Microsoft Help and Support site at: support.microsoft.com

I can't use a mouse - What do I do?

Many of our key pages can be reached by using Access Keys, if you have your own key press activator, or need to use keys then you should still be able to use much of the website as you would with a mouse.