Mac OS and Microsoft Windows contain many accessibility features that can assist computer users that are vision impaired.
Skip to Content Link
A skip to content link is available at the top of every page. This link enables users with screen reading software to skip over navigation links and jump directly to the textual content of a page.
Adjusting the Colours
A ‘View High Contrast’ button is present at the top of every page. This enables users to easily adjust the contrast of the website.
Adjusting the Text Size
You can use the following options within your browser to adjust text size:
Safari – Mac OS
- Hold down the ‘Apple’ key and press the ‘+’ key.
- Repeat until the text is at a suitable large.
Internet Explorer – Windows 98 / ME / 2000 / XP
- Go to the ‘View’ pull-down menu.
- Go to ‘Text Size’.
- A pop-up menu should appear showing you five different text sizes. Select ‘Larger’ or ‘Largest’ to make the text larger. This will also increase the size on many other Internet sites.
Internet Explorer – Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard.
- Press the ‘+’ key to make the text bigger or the ‘-‘ key to make the text smaller.
- Keep repeating step 2 until the text is at a suitable size.
FireFox – all platforms
- Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard.
- Press the ‘+’ key to make the text bigger or the ‘-‘ key to make the text smaller.
- Keep repeating step 2 until the text is at a suitable size.
Text-to-Speech Access
Windows 98 / 2000 / XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 10:
JAWS
You can purchase an additional software program such as JAWS which will allow your computer to read aloud web pages to you. For more information, please contact us.
NVDA
NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader that can read aloud web pages. More information is available on the NVDA websites.
Narrator (Windows 8 and 10)
“Narrator” is a basic built in screen reader available for windows 8 and 10. To start or stop Narrator, press the Windows logo key + Enter or access Narrator through “Ease of Access Center” (Windows logo key + U). To see all Narrator commands, press Caps Lock + F1. Further information about Narrator can be found on the Microsoft accessibility website
Mac OS:
Mac OS 10.4 Tiger and higher have a built-in program called VoiceOver which can read aloud text on your computer screen, including web pages. To turn on VoiceOver, hold down the ‘Apple’ key and press the ‘F5? key. Further information about VoiceOver is available on the Apple website.
All platforms:
“Webanywhere” is a web page that can read aloud web pages. More information is available on the Webanywhere website.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any difficulties using this site or you would like to provide us with feedback.