Accessibility
Businesslink.gov.uk accessibility statement
Difficulties that people who are blind or who have visual impairments may encounter
Difficulties that people with mobility or dexterity difficulties may encounter
Difficulties that people who are deaf or who have hearing difficulties may encounter
Difficulties that people with learning difficulties may encounter
Difficulties that people who are aging may encounter on the internet
Businesslink.gov.uk accessibility statement
In September 2008, Businesslink.gov.uk was awarded the Shaw Trust Web Accessibility Accreditation. The independent Shaw Trust audit meant that the website was tested using automated tools and by people with a wide range of disabilities to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Double-A level. Businesslink.gov.uk will continue to make efforts to improve the accessibility of the website ensuring that accessibility remains at the forefront of all developments. Find information on the Shaw Trust Web Accessibility Accreditation Certificate, on the Shaw Trust website - Opens in a new window.
Businesslink.gov.uk accessibility preferences
You can change the way this website looks to suit your preferences. The settings that do this differ from browser to browser, but most browsers offer some or all of the following:
- Increasing the font size. If you find the size of the text on businesslink.gov.uk too small you can easily adjust it by using the font size setting in your browser. If you use Internet Explorer, go to the 'View' menu, select 'Text Size' and then select either 'Larger' or 'Largest'.
- Adjusting text and colour changes. Some users who rely on screen magnifiers can find white backgrounds give off a glare. You can change both the background and the text on businesslink.gov.uk by changing some settings in your browsers. If you use Internet Explorer, look in the 'Tools' menu, select 'Internet Options', select 'Colors' and make changes to text and background colours in the 'Colors' panel.
PDFs and accessibility
Many of the documents on businesslink.gov.uk are forms or publications created in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). Adobe Reader enables you to read PDFs. The latest versions of Adobe Reader (7.0 and above) offer more in the way of accessibility than earlier versions. You can find the latest version of Adobe Reader on the Adobe website - Opens in a new window.
You can download a useful document about how to access PDFs with various assistive technologies from the Adobe website (PDF) - Opens in a new window. You can also find tools and information to increase the accessibility of PDF documents on the Adobe website - Opens in a new window.
You can use a tool that converts PDF documents to HTML pages on the Adobe website - Opens in a new window. To use this tool, paste the complete URL of the PDF into the box labelled "URL" on this page. An HTML version will be created when you submit the form. There is also an email facility that will email you an HTML or text file translated from a URL or attached file.
Accessibility Wizard
If you use Windows, there is a program called Accessibility Wizard that enables you to set preferences for using your PC and the internet. To find the Accessibility Wizard, look in the 'Start' menu, select 'Programs', select 'Accessories', select 'Accessibility', select the 'Accessibility Wizard' and then follow the instructions.
Businesslink.gov.uk supported browsers
Businesslink.gov.uk develops its online content to support a reasonable range of web browsers and operating systems.
Target browsers: Internet Explorer 6.0 and Internet Explorer 7.0
Other supported browsers: Firefox
Partially supported browsers: Internet Explorer 4.0+ and 5.0+
Partially supported browsers enable you to access the content on businesslink.gov.uk, but there is no guarantee that the content will be rendered correctly. You should regularly upgrade your browser.
Feedback about businesslink.gov.uk accessibility
Your suggestions and feedback on how to improve accessibility on businesslink.gov.uk are very much appreciated. If you are experiencing any difficulties accessing the information on our pages, or would like to send us some feedback in general, please contact us through our feedback page.
Further information
For further information on various disabilities, there are links to pages on the BBC website. Accessibility agencies encourage linking to the BBC website as it is known to be extremely useful and comprehensive.
Difficulties that people who are blind or who have visual impairments may encounter
Visual impairments include low vision, colour blindness, and blindness. There are many options to modify the computer display and appearance so it is more legible, or to receive information through sound or touch.
Windows users
Mac users
If you have visual impairments, you may be interested in the following assistive technology:
- screen magnifiers enlarge a portion of the screen as you move the focus, thus increasing legibility
- screen readers verbalise or 'speak' everything on the screen including labels, menus, text, ALT text, etc
- refreshable Braille displays provide tactile output of information represented on the computer screen
- Braille embossers work with Braille translation programs, which convert text scanned in or generated via standard word processing programs into Braille, and then print it on the embosser
- talking word processors are software programs that use speech synthesisers to provide auditory feedback of a page
- large-print word processors allow you to view everything in large text without added screen enlargement
- colour contrast testers are software that can be used to gauge whether the colours used on a site have sufficient contrast and are therefore legible
- voice-activated software, also called speech recognition software, allows you to enter data using your voice rather than a mouse or keyboard
Difficulties that people with mobility or dexterity difficulties may encounter
Individuals with mobility or dexterity difficulties may not have much control over their limbs or may experience pain, discomfort, or loss of feeling in their fingers, hands, wrists, or arms, making it difficult to use a standard keyboard or mouse.
Windows users
Mac users
If you have mobility or dexterity difficulties, you may be interested in the following assistive technology:
- Voice-activated software, also called speech recognition software, allows you to enter data using your voice rather than a mouse or keyboard.
- On-screen keyboard programs provide an image of a standard or modified keyboard on the computer screen. You can select the keys with a mouse, touch screen, trackball, joystick, switch technology, or electronic pointing device.
- Touch screens are devices placed on the computer monitor (or built into it) that allow direct selection or activation of the computer by touching the screen.
- Keyboard filters include typing aids, such as word prediction utilities and add-on spelling checkers. These products reduce the required number of keystrokes. Keyboard filters enable users to quickly access the letters they need and to avoid inadvertently selecting keys they don't want.
- Alternative input devices include alternative keyboards, expanded, guarded keyboards, electronic pointing devices, sip-and-puff systems, wands and sticks, joysticks and trackballs. They allow you to control your computer through means other than a standard keyboard or pointing device.
Difficulties that people who are deaf or who have hearing difficulties may encounter
Hearing difficulties can range from slight hearing loss to deafness. People who are deaf or who have hearing difficulties might be able to hear some sound, but might not be able to distinguish words.
Windows users
Mac users
Difficulties that people with learning difficulties may encounter
Learning difficulties can range from conditions such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder to retardation. Many individuals with learning difficulties are perfectly capable of learning if information is presented to them in a form and at a pace that is appropriate to them individually.
Details of how to optimise the user experience specifically for people who have learning difficulties can be found on the BBC website.
Windows users
Mac users
If you have learning difficulties, you may be interested in the following assistive technology:
- Word prediction programs allow you to select a desired word from a list of words predicted by the first one or two letters typed. You can then select the word from the list and insert it into the text by typing a number, clicking the mouse or scanning with switch technology.
- Reading comprehension programs focus on establishing or improving reading skills through ready-made activities, stories, exercises or games. These programs can help practice letter/sound recognition and can increase the understanding of words.
- Reading tools and learning disability programs include software designed to make text-based materials more accessible for people who have problems reading. Options can include reformatting, navigating, scanning or speaking text out loud.
- Speech synthesisers (often referred to as text-to-speech (TTS) systems) receive information going to the screen and then 'speak' it out loud. Individuals who have lost the ability to communicate orally can use a speech synthesiser to communicate by typing information and having the speech synthesiser speak it out loud.
- Voice-activated software, also called speech recognition software, allows you to enter data using your voice rather than a mouse or keyboard.
Difficulties that people who are aging may encounter on the internet
As we get older many of us will develop vision, hearing, dexterity or mobility conditions that may affect us when using a computer.
Details of how to optimise the user experience for people who have any difficulties and impairments associated with aging can be found on the BBC website.
Trouble seeing the screen
If you have trouble seeing the screen you could:
- increase text size
- magnify areas on the screen using Windows Magnifier, if you are using Windows
- invert colours on the screen using Windows Magnifier, if you are using Windows
Windows users
Mac users
Difficulty hearing computer sounds
If you have difficulty hearing computer sounds you could:
- turn up the volume
- use headphones to help block out background noise
- adjust computer system sounds that are easier for you to hear
- use text or visual alternatives to sound for alerts, etc
Windows users
Mac users
Difficulty typing or controlling the mouse
If you experience difficulties when typing or controlling the mouse you could:
- use 'Filter Keys' to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes
- use 'Sticky Keys' to press multiple keys at once
- adjust the mouse cursor size, appearance and pointer options
- change the way the mouse scrolls and how the buttons work, including the double-click speed
- use 'ClickLock' if you don't want to hold the mouse button down while you drag items with the mouse
Windows users
Mac users
