Accessibility

Access keys are provided to help users who have difficulty in using pointing devices such as a mouse or prefer to use keyboard shortcuts. A full list of access keys and how to use them is available on our access keys page. Using the S access key will enable non visual browsers to skip navigation.

Images used to convey information on our website have alternative text attributes, often known as alt text, which describes the content of the image within the alt text. This means that the image can be understood by text browsers and assistive technologies such as screen readers. Many images on the website are used simply for decorative purposes, the text attribute for the image is left empty in line with accepted best practice.

The FSA website uses font sizes that you can control using your web browser.

You can change the text size in Microsoft Internet Explorer by selecting View > Text size followed by your preferred text size from 'Smallest' to 'Largest'. The default setting is 'Medium'.

You can change the text size in Mozilla Firefox by selecting View > Text size followed by 'Increase' or 'Decrease'. To return the text size to its default setting, select 'Normal'.

The website's fonts have been chosen for their legibility on computer screens.

Live text is used rather than graphics wherever possible to reduce page download time and to increase your control over text size.

A print page facility is provided on every page of the website. The size of the print text will reflect the text option you have selected within the website. For example, if you have large print selected on the website, the print page facility will print in large print.

A text-only version of the site is available simply by selecting 'Text only' in the toolbar at the bottom of each page.

The Agency uses the speech-enabling service Dixerit Plus on its websites, which is free to users and enables people with dyslexia, low literacy, impaired vision, or people whose first language is not English to use the websites with greater ease. This service runs without the need to download any specific plugins or software. All users need is a computer with internet access and a sound card, and connected speakers or a set of headphones. It can read a number of formats, including HTML, PDF and plain text.

To listen to pages on our website using Dixerit Plus, click on the 'Listen to this site' link on any page and the Dixerit Plus toolbar will be displayed. There are several ways to listen to a page:

• Highlight the text you want to listen to and click the 'Read Text' icon
• Hover your mouse pointer over the paragraph you want listen to and click the paragraph icon that appears
• Click the 'Read Links' icon to have all the links on the page read to you. To follow a link just enter its number into the 'Go to' box and click 'Go'

Screen magnifier
Dixerit Plus has a screen magnifier to help users who find the text on web pages too small to read. To launch Magnifier click the icon on any page and the dixero toolbar will be displayed. Click the Magnifier icon, Run the software and select the magnification level that you find most comfortable.

Colour contrast tool
Dixerit Plus also has a colour contrast adjustment tool that helps people who have difficulty reading text on a bright background. To launch Contrast click the icon on any page and the dixero toolbar will be displayed. Click the Contrast icon, Run the software and select the colour and intensity level that you find most comfortable.

For further assistance, use the Help facility in the application, by clicking the Help menu.