Accessibility Statement

We are committed to making our web sites accessible and useable by the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability.

Maintaining an accessible website is an ongoing process and we are continually working to offer a user friendly experience.  If you have any problems using our web site please contact us by email or call the Communications Team on 0300 300 0059.

Our web site includes a number of features to assist use, including:

Mobile responsive

The site will detect and respond to mobile devices and tablets and resize images and layout to fit correctly.

Headings

Headings are used on each page on the website. They make it easier to read pages by providing visual structure and help people using screen readers and other assistive technologies navigate the site.

Links

Links have been written to make sense when read out in isolation. This helps visitors who use a list of links to move around the site. 

Help with downloading documents

We use pdf documents on our web site.  To read a pdf file you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader.  You can download a free acrobat reader package from the Adobe website.

Browsealoud

Browsealoud is software that we have added to our web site to make our content more accessible. 

Whether you are using a Smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac, Browsealoud provides reading support tools.

Browsealoud can read web site content out loud, highlighting each word as it is spoken in a high quality, human-sounding voice and may be helpful to people:

• with low literacy skills or dyslexia;
• who don’t have English as a first language;
• with some visual impairment; and
• who would prefer to listen to text rather than read it.

Browsealoud offers a range of features:

• Text-to-speech – click on or select any text to hear it read aloud
• Translation – written and spoken translations in multiple languages
• Text magnification – enlarges text and reads it aloud
• MP3 generation – converts selected text into an MP3 audio file
• Screen mask – blocks distractions on screen with a tinted mask
• Web page simplifier – removes clutter from the screen, displaying only the main text

All of the above features are accessed from an easy to use floating toolbar which allows you to drag and drop it anywhere on your screen. It’s easy to access - simply click on the Browsealoud logo in the top right of our web site to launch the floating toolbar, pictured below.