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Home > Accessibility

Accessibility statement

NCAT is committed to ensuring that this site is accessible to the widest possible range of people. We hope that you will find it both easy and enjoyable to use. Our Accessibility policy (below) summarises our overall approach to accessibility, as well as key steps we have taken to underpin accessibility and usability on this site. However, if you encounter any difficulties in accessing the site, or if you have suggestions on improvements we can make, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Accessibility policy

Overall approach

We seek to follow best practice accessibility guidelines such as those published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the UK government’s Central Office of Information (COI).

Steps we have taken to improve access include:

  • customisation of text size, and of background and text colours etc.
  • meaningful text alternatives for any non-text content
  • keyboard, as well as mouse, access
  • compatibility with a range of common browsers and key assistive technologies
  • consistent navigation.

We outline below the specific policy we have developed for NCAT Patient Experience site.

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Technologies and formats used

This site uses standard formats such as HTML, XHTML transitional 1.0 and CSS 2, which are recommended by W3C. Other technologies and formats used include:

  • PDF documents
  • Javascript.

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Technical compliance

We are taking all reasonable steps to work towards conforming to level Double A of the W3C Web content accessibility guidelines 2.0.

The following tests were carried out prior to release:

  • Automated code checks of templates to validate CSS and XHTML
  • Manual check of templates and sample pages against relevant WCAG2 AA checkpoints
  • Sample testing of key templates using one or more assistive technologies.

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Exceptions

Javascript has been used to enhance aspects of the site. Where this is the case, we have endeavoured to use it in an accessible way.

We are aware that on some pages Heading 2 comes before Heading 1, and occasionally there is no Heading 2.

Some legacy documents, such as PDFs, may not be fully accessible. If you would like an alternative version, please contact the NCAT Patient Experience Team.

The site contains an accessibility toolbar which offers various accessibility options to the user. Text resizing and colour switching via the accessibility toolbar may not function within the forum. This functionality is also available via most browsers’ accessibility options as an alternative.

Where accessibility issues arise, we will endeavour to fix the problem. Where this is not possible, we will provide alternative formats on request.

We cannot guarantee the accessibility of content referenced by an external link.

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Maintenance and sustainability

As part of our ongoing maintenance of the level of accessibility of this site, we aim to ensure that:

  • any new content added by us will be reviewed for accessibility; periodically an accessibility audit of new content will be carried out
  • unless otherwise requested, only minimal effort will be taken to ensure that ‘archived’ legacy content complies with the guidelines.

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Accessibility help

Changing screen resolution

This web site has been optimised to be viewed at a minimum resolution of 1024x768, and optimised to work in IE6 and above, and in Firefox 2.0 and above. However, you can easily change your screen resolution as required. The Help system on your computer should provide information on how to do this.

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Changing text size and colour contrast

There are various combinations available for background and font colours, these can be changed by selecting the required option. This functionality is also provided by most browsers.

screen shot of colour contrast

Functionality to change the text size has been provided. By clicking on the text size options you can increase, decrease and reset the font size. This functionality is also provided by most browsers.

screen shot of text resizing

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Using the keyboard to navigate the site

The site has been designed to be accessible to both keyboard and pointing devices. On each page a skip to main content link (at the top of the page) allows direct access to the main content. We have not, though, included keyboard shortcuts because of potential conflicts with keyboard shortcuts used elsewhere (e.g. screen readers).

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Accessing alternative formats

Images

Where used, for all images which are not purely decorative, we have provided alt texts or longer text descriptions, depending on the image.

Audio

We have used audio as an alternative to Captcha on relevant areas of the site.

PDFs

As outlined above, some PDFs may not be fully accessible. Other formats are available on request; please NCAT Patient Experience Team.

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Further information on making the web more accessible

There are many things you can do to make the web, and your computer, more accessible to you. To find out more, a useful place to start is on the following sites:

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