We aim to make our website accessible to everyone and we are continually working to improve its ease-of-use and the range and quality of our web services and content.
Key accessibility features include:
You can listen to our website using Browsealoud software
You can change the text size, colour and fonts
Access keys for fast keyboard navigation to important pages
Please read the advice below to help you get the best from our website
Standards compliance.
The site has been built using XHTML and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and complies with W3C WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, Level A where possible.
Flash interactive map
We are aware that the interactive estate map is not accessible to the level of the rest of the site content. An alternative is available on request.
Video and accessibility
We are aware that the player has some accessibility issues and are working to find a more accessible solution.
Javascript and pop-up windows
Javascript enables us to create small programs within web pages to add extra features such as pop-up windows or to check that a form has been completed in the correct way. As not all browsers support Javascript we have tried to ensure that wherever we use Javascript the same content and functions are available whether or not Javascript is enabled in your browser.
Pop-up windows are used within the site. We warn users where a link or button pops up a window. Although your browser may support Javascript many browsers have "pop-up blockers" which stop pop-up windows.
If you click certain links and nothing seems to happen, you may need to deactivate this function. Some browsers such as Opera and Firefox have built in features to do this or you may have installed a third party toolbar (eg Google toolbar) which is preventing the pop-up window from opening.
Using the keyboard and access keys
In testing our site we have ensured that all site functions can be accessed using the keyboard only.
We offer additional shortcut keys that allow fast navigation to important pages. We follow UK Government recommendations for access key assignments:
S Skip navigation
1 Home page
2 News
3 Site map
4 Search
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6 Help
7 Complaints procedure
8 Terms of use
0 Access key details
How to use access keys
Access keys work when pressed in combination with other keys. The combination depends on which web browser you are using.
PC: Internet Explorer 6+
Hold down ALT, press the access key and then press ENTER
ALT + left arrow takes you back to the previous web page (as per your browser back button).
PC: Netscape 6 and Mozilla Firefox
Hold down ALT and press the access key
ALT + left arrow takes you back to the previous web page (as per your browser back button).
Mac: Internet Explorer 5+
Hold down Ctrl and press the access key.
Changing text size
You can change the size of text that appears in a website to suit your needs.
Internet Explorer
You can zoom in and out of pages to make them bigger and smaller by clicking on the change zoom level button in the bottom right-hand corner of Internet Explorer (magnifying glass with a percentage displayed next to it).
If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse you can zoom in and make a page bigger by holding Ctrl and rolling the wheel away from you (as if scrolling up the page). To make the text smaller, hold Ctrl and roll the wheel towards you.
Netscape 6 and Mozilla
PC users: Hold down Ctrl and press the + or - keys to make the text bigger or smaller.
Mac users: Hold down Cmd and press the + or - keys to make the text bigger or smaller.
Safari (Mac)
Click on the View menu and then select either Make Text Bigger or Make Text Smaller.