Accessibility

info4local website accessibility policy

info4local is committed to ensuring this website is as accessible as possible to users. It has been built to be accessible to visually impaired users and people who have difficulty using a mouse. It is compatible with popular screen readers and can be navigated easily using the keyboard.

Website accessibility is defined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in three categories of A, AA and AAA. This site has been developed to meet WCAG 1.0 level AA compliance and follows the appropriate government guidelines.

This website was also designed in line with the British Standards Institute's publicly available specification PAS 78:2006 - Guide to good practice in commissioning accessible websites.

Technology

This website uses standard World Wide Web consortium (W3C) technologies such as HTML, XHTML and CSS  and these have been developed to meet the WCAG AA compliance level. Non-W3C technologies used include JavaScript and video content.

JavaScript: where JavaScript is used the content should still be accessible to users who have disabled JavaScript in their browser.

Video: there are transcripts of all videos in our help section.

Feedback

If you have any queries on the accessibility of this website, please contact us via the following page: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/contact-us.

Accessibility testing process

This website was independently audited for accessibility and usability during its design phase in January 2007 and again in February 2009.

The objectives of the accessibility testing were as follows:

• to perform automated code checks to validate the key templates as WCAG AA compliant;
• to perform a manual code check of the templates to validate that the templates employ accessibility best practice;
• to test the templates through a series of tasks by users from different accessibility groups, using a range of assistive technology.

Disabled user testing was carried out by two users from each of the following groups, using a sample of web pages:

• severe vision impaired user - screen reader (Jaws);
• medium vision impaired use - magnification software (Zoomtext);
• mid-vision impaired use - large text in browser with high contrast windows colour preferences;
• medium motor difficulties - keyboard only user with no access to mouse;
• medium dyslexic user - no special access methodologies.

Further tests (consisting of automated and manual checks) will be carried out periodically.

Access keys

Access keys or keyboard shortcuts help people who have difficulty using a mouse or similar devices. info4local follows the government access key system, so you can navigate with just the keyboard.

Depending on your browser type, use one of the following:

• Internet Explorer 5+ (PC)
  Hold down the ALT key, press the number of the access key, release both keys then press ENTER
• Internet Explorer 4 (PC)
  Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key
• Internet Explorer 5+ (Mac)
  Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key
• Internet Explorer 4.5 (Mac)
  Access keys are not supported
• Netscape 7 (PC)
  Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key
• Netscape 6 and earlier (PC and Mac)
  Access keys are not supported
• Firefox, Mozilla (PC)
  Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key
• Firefox, Mozilla (Mac)
  Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key
• Safari and Omniweb (Mac)
  Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key
• Opera 7+ (PC)
  Hold down the Shift key and press Escape, release both keys, then press the number of the access key
• Opera 7+ (Mac)
  Hold down the Shift key and press Escape, release both keys, then press the number of the access key

The keys:
0 = Accessibility page
1 = Home page
2 = Skip to page content
3 = Site map page
4 = Advanced search page
5 = FAQ
6 = Help
8 = Terms and conditions page
9 = Contacts

We are working to ensure info4local is accessible for everyone. If you have any problems using this site, please contact us.

Further information on how to adapt your computer is available on Communities and Local Government and Directgov. These links open new windows.