Website accessibility tools
Microsoft windows users
Microsoft has inbuilt features, to aid accessibility. Select 'All Programs' and 'Accessories' and 'Accessibility' to find the options. More details of these can be found on Microsoft's Accessibility guidance website.
Slight visual impairment
For those with a slight visual impairment, the 'Magnifier' option in Microsoft Windows may be useful, to enlarge text size.
Microsoft 'Narrator' is a basic screen reader that may also be of use. Be aware that it can only be used in certain programs and will only be read in English.
We recommend using the Microsoft Edge browser as that comes with a built-in Read Aloud function (Accessed from the address bar via the Read Aloud icon). Within the browser, you can highlight any text, right-click it and it will give you the option to read aloud that specific selection or to open it in Immersive Reader. The Reader gives an array of accessibility options including modifying text size, line spacing, word spacing, font, background colour, translation and dictionary tools.
For further guidance, please see Microsoft's Use Immersive Reader in Edge page.
Each page of the website has a 'Text Only' option (located at the top right of the page). This allows for high-contrast viewing.
Linux, Mac and Apple users
The BBC My Web My Way site gives information on web accessibility for Linux users and Mac users. Apple users can visit the Apple Accessibility pages.
All users
We recommend using Abilitynet's My Computer My Way to help you find specific guides for improving the accessibility of your personal devices.
Using Adobe’s Acrobat’s ‘Read Out Loud’
This screen-reading tool can be used to convert written text into audio format. For example, to read a prospectus:
- Select ‘Download prospectus’ (as pdf) from the relevant page on the website
- Save as an ‘Adobe pdf file’ on your computer
- Open the file with ‘Adobe Reader’
- Select ‘View’ from the top tool bar
- Select ‘Read Out Loud’, then ‘Activate Read Out Loud’
- Start using as required. You may wish to use headphones to listen
In addition, many website pages can be converted into PDF format to facilitate the use of screen-reading software. The PDF option is located at the bottom left of the page.
Videos
Some videos have a transcript available or built-in captions. Videos viewed via YouTube allow for captions to be enabled. Select the icon labelled 'Automatic captions available in your language'.
Website help
If you have any questions relating to this website's accessibility please email [email protected].