Accessibility

Accessibility

In an effort to provide the best experience for visitors to Ashton Underlined's web site, we have created two versions of the site. Both are:

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Compliant
W3C ensures that the coding of a page is correct and interoperable. Every page on this web site has been validated against the W3C guidelines and approved as XHTML 1.0 Transitional

The second site employs the same data as the first site but validates to Bobby Level AAA. It also has text only option and text enlarging facility to make it as accessible as posible to users with disabilities, including users who may be blind or partially sighted.

Bobby Compliant
Bobby checks individual web pages to ensure that they conform to U.S. Section 508 and the W3C's WCAG accessibility guidelines.
Every page on this web site has been validated against the highest possible level of accessibility - Bobby Level AAA

The design of the site also includes a number of other accessibility features including:

  • Text Size Increaser/Decreaser facility
  • ALT Tags
  • Frames
  • Browsers
  • Screen Resolution
  • Online Forms
  • Screen Resolution
  • Downloadable Documents
  • Further information about Accessibility

We have chosen a simple design throughout rather than providing text only pages for visually impaired users. However, we have introduced a text size increaser/decreaser facility below the banner, leaving the user fully in control.

Just click on the smaller 'A' image to decrease the text size or the larger ones to increase.

The instructions here are for Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 5 and above Netscape Communicator version 4.7.

Please note the procedure may differ slightly across browser versions.

Internet Explorer Version 5 and above

How to make your text size bigger

Users are able to change the size of the text on the web page

  • Click on the VIEW tab, at the very top on your browser window.
  • Select TEXT SIZE from the drop down menu,
  • Another small box will appear alongside, where you can select various sizes.

Ignore Page Formatting Specifications

The selectable option is available to turn off specified Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). CSS font, size, color and positioning information that would be ignored in the rendering of the web page. The page would render using the default browser options.
Users can also adjust the highlight foreground and background colors used by the browser.

  • Open your browser and click on the TOOLS tab, on the very top off your browser window.
  • Select from the drop down menu, INTERNET OPTIONS.
  • Under the GENERAL tab, select the ACCESSIBILTY button.
  • The ACCESSIBILITY box will display FORMATTING and USER STYLE SHEET options.
  • Under FORMATTING, tick either colours , font styles, font sizes or under USER STYLE SHEET use your own customised preferences.

Netscape Communicator Version 4.7

Browser formatting Specification

To change browser settings, first open the "Preferences" box by clicking on "Edit" and selecting "Preferences". You may then choose to make any of the changes that are listed below:

How to make your text size bigger

  • Click on "Appearance"
  • Click "Font"
  • Choose the variable-width font and fixed-width you want to use
  • Click "OK"

Changing Colour Specification

Users are able to change the size of the text on the web page

  • Click on "Appearance"
  • Click on "Colours"
  • Select the Box next to "Text" and choose a colour
  • Click OK
  • Select the box next to "Background" and choose a colour
  • Click OK
  • Click Ok to close "Preferences"

ALT Tags

We have ensured that all images used in our site are given appropriate alternative text descriptions ('ALT texts'), as required by internationally recognised web accessibility guidelines, which can be found at www.w3.org/WAI . All graphical navigation buttons are similarly ALT-tagged.

Frames

We strictly avoid the use of frames throughout the main Ashton underlined web site.

Colour contrasts
all pages on this web site have a white background and the primary text is black and red

Browsers
our web site is checked in a variety of browsers (both modern and old versions) to ensure that we cater for as wide a range of audience as possible

Screen Resolution
our web site is best viewed with a screen resolution of 800 x 600 and in Internet Explorer version 4 and above - however this is not exclusive and the web site is tested and is accessible on any resolution in any browser

Online Forms
Our forms all have labels attached to the fields that ensures that the purpose of a field is read out to visitors with a visual impairment.
Mandatory fields are identified with a blue arrow throughout the web site.
Visitors who are unable to use a mouse can use the "tab" key to move throughout the fields of a form.

Downloadable Documents

This site uses PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file format for the publication of large and complex documents. Please note that Adobe Acrobat documents can be converted back to plain text using Adobe's Web-based conversion service at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_simple_form.html

To view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed: click the link below to download the software

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readsetp2.html

Further information about Accessibility

There is a wealth of information available on the Internet about website access guidance and general standards. We hope the following will be useful:

www.abilitynet.org.uk

Helping to create accessibility for all

http://access.adobe.com/

Contains tools for reading PDF files

http://www.nlb-online.info/

National Library for the Blind links site for blind and partially sighted people who use screen readers and other adaptive technology

http://visdesign.nlbuk.org/

Gives top ten website design tips

www.cast.org/bobby

Bobby is an online tool for testing websites for accessibility for the disabled

www.disability.gov.uk

Helping disabled people to find out about their civil rights and to see more clearly how useful the Internet can be as a source for information

www.e-accessibility.com

A free independent monthly email newsletter on IT issues for people with visual impairment and blindness

www.drc-gb.org/newsroom/website.asp

The Disability Rights Commission site gives an inaccessible website demonstration

www.itcanhelp.org.uk/

Free computer help for people with disabilities all over the UK

www-3.ibm.com/able/guidelines/web/accessweb.html

Gives detailed advice on web accessibility

www.rnib.org.uk

Royal National Institute for the Blind - guidelines, links to accessibility checkers

www.spac.es.com

Specialist programmes and Community employment strategies

www.w3.org/WAI

Extensive W3C site with guidelines, links etc

Contact us

We are working to improve the accessibility features of and welcome your suggestions and comments.
If you encounter any accessibility or technical problems when using this site, please e-mail the Web Development team: