Changing text size and images.

This section gives you instructions on how you can change the size of the text on this website to make it easier to read. It also tells you how to change your screen resolution and how to make use of the Magnifier function on some versions of Microsoft Windows.

We also tell you how to turn the website images off, so you can read the text only. If you have a slow connection to the internet reading websites as text alone will reduce the time it takes to open a page.

The instructions are different for the two main types of browser (Microsoft Explorer and Netscape). There are also special instructions if you are using a Macintosh computer.

The help facility on the toolbar of the browser you are using also contains information to assist you.

Choose which kind of browser you have

Instructions for Microsoft Internet Explorer
Instructions for Netscape Navigator
Instructions for Macintosh computers

This site uses Adobe Acrobat to display certain documents. Click here for alternative ways to view Adobe Acrobat documents.

Choose if you want to change your screen resolution or use the Magnifier

Change screen resolution

Use the Magnifier

to top

Instructions for Microsoft Internet Explorer users

To change the font size:
· Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu depending on your browser .
· Click on the Accessibility button.
· Click the Ignore fonts now showing on web pages box so that it now shows a tick.
· Click OK.
· Click OK again to close Internet Options.
· Select the View option from the Menubar.
· Select the Text Size option, Choose the text size you prefer.

If you want to remove the images:
· Select Internet Options from the View OR the Tools menu depending on your browser.
· Select the Advanced tab at the top right hand corner of the box.
· Scroll down to the Multimedia heading.
· Untick the box next to Show Pictures.
· Click on the Apply button and then click on the OK button.

For more information visit the Microsoft Help and Support site at http://support.microsoft.com/

to top

Instructions for Netscape Navigator4+ users

To change your browser settings, you must firstly:
· Select Edit from the Menu Bar.
· Select Preferences. You now have the option to make various changes.
· Select Appearance.
· Select Font. You can alter the Variable and Fixed width Font to your preferred option.

If you want to remove the images:
· Select the Edit option from the Menu Bar.
· Select the Preferences option.
· Select Text, choose your preferred colour and click on the OK button.
· Select the Advanced option.
· Untick the box next to Automatically load Images and Click OK.

For more information visit Netscape Browser Central at: http://browsers.netscape.com/browsers/using/main.tmpl

to top

Instructions for Macintosh users

There are full instructions on making use of the various versions of the Macintosh operating system's accessibility features. These include resizing text, text-to-speech function and keyboard alternatives to mouse functions. For more information visit the Apple website's section for special needs www.apple.com/disability/

to top

Alternative ways to view Adobe Acrobat documents

This website uses Adobe Acrobat to show certain documents. If you can't use Acrobat Reader to see these documents (for example, if you use screen reader software or an audio-enabled web browser), Adobe provide a free online tool which converts them to text.

To use this service, send the web address (URL) of the Adobe Acrobat document you want to read through the web form at http://access.adobe.com/onlinetools.html.

The service will return the document to you as a web page (HTML) or as plin text. Alternatively, you can choose to get it e-mailed to you as an attachment.

For more information visit: http://access.adobe.com/onlinetools.html

Other options

Save and install Acrobat Reader 5.1 with Search and Accessibility - English for Windows 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP 13.4 MB on your computer from the Adobe website.

If you have an Apple Macintosh, you can save and install Acrobat Reader 5.1 with Search - English for Macintosh (MacBinary) 972 KB on your computer

Other versions of tools like this can be found on the Adobe Acrobat Reader website

to top

To change your screen resolution

1. Open Display in Control Panel.
2. On the Settings tab, under screen resolution, drag the slider, and then click Apply.
3. When prompted to apply the settings, click OK. Your screen will turn black for a moment.
4. Once your screen resolution changes, you have 15 seconds to confirm the change. Click Yes to confirm the change; click No or do nothing to revert to your previous setting.

Notes

To open Display, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.

A higher screen resolution reduces the size of items on your screen and increases the relative space on your desktop.

You can switch your screen resolution temporarily to 640 X 480 if you have games or other programs that are set to run at that resolution. To switch, right-click the game or program (on the desktop or on the Start menu), and then click Properties. Click the Compatibility tab, and then select the Run in 640x480 screen resolution check box. Your display reverts to its default resolution when you close the program.

Your monitor and video adapter determine how much you can change your screen resolution. You may not be able to increase the resolution above a certain level.

Changes to screen resolution affect all users that log on to the computer.

Only the recommended  screen resolutions are listed. For additional settings, click the Advanced button on the Settings tab, click the Adapter tab, and then click List all Modes. Select the resolution, colour level, and refresh rate you want.

to top

Use the Magnifier

Magnifier is a display utility that makes the screen more readable for users who have impaired vision. Magnifier creates a separate window that displays a magnified portion of your screen. You can also change the colour scheme of the magnification window for easier visibility. You can move or resize the Magnifier window, or drag it to the edge of the screen and lock it into place Magnifier is intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with slight visual impairments.

When using  Magnifier you can:

Change the magnification level.

Change the size of the magnification window .

Change the position of the magnification window on your desktop .

Invert the screen colours .

Magnifier also has a number of tracking options, including:

Following the mouse pointer as it moves on your screen .

Following the keyboard focus which centres on the location of the cursor .

Following text editing .

When Magnifier is open, you can right-click the magnification window to set these Magnifier options, or to hide or exit Magnifier.

Notes

To open Magnifier click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier

To open Magnifier using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

Utility Manager enables users to check an Accessibility program's status and start or stop an Accessibility program. Users with administrator-level access can designate to have the program start when Utility Manager starts. Users can also start Accessibility programs before logging on to the computer on by pressing the Windows logo key  + U at the Welcome to Windows dialog box that appears when Windows starts.

The accessibility tools that ship with Windows are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with more advanced functions

to top