Accessibility
Access keys
Access keys let you navigate around a website without using a mouse. You may find them a convenient way to move round the site without having to move your mouse at all.
Access keys and how to use them
Unfortunately, different browsers use access keys in different ways. In general you need to hold down a key or two, and then press the access key you want.
Browsers for PCs
- Firefox 2:
- Hold down the SHIFT key and the ALT key and then press the number of the access key.
- Firefox 1.5:
- Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key.
- Opera 9:
- Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.
- Internet Explorer 5+:
- Hold down the ALT key, press the number of the access key, release both keys then press ENTER.
Browsers for Macs
- Firefox 2:
- Hold down the SHIFT key and the ALT key and then press the number of the access key.
- Firefox 1.5:
- Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key.
- Safari:
- Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key.
- Opera 9:
- Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.
Access keys on National Statistics Recruitment
National Statistics Recruitment uses the following access keys:
- A - Accessibility page
- S - Skip navigation (go to content)
- T - Top of page (return to top of page)
- F - Footer (go to footer of page)
- J - Apply for a job
- 1 - Home page
- 2 - About ONS
- 3 - Where we work
- 4 - Our Work
- 5 - Careers at ONS
- 6 - Our People
- 7 - Privacy Statement
- 8 - Terms and conditions
- 9 - Site map
- 0 - Contact us
Help with PDF files
Information on PDF files; what they are, how to open them and how to create them.
The PDF file format is a common internet file format (PDF stands for Portable Document Format).
It's used for electronic distribution because it faithfully preserves the look and feel of the original document complete with fonts, colours, images, and layout. It also can be used across many different types of computers and browsers. It is commonly used for government publications, leaflets and forms.
Opening PDF files
To open a PDF file you have two options. You can download a program called Acrobat Reader and install it onto your computer. The program is available free of charge from the Adobe Acrobat site. Because the download is large - typically between 8MB and 16MB - you may find it easier to find a copy of the program on one of the CDs distributed by computer magazines.
The second option is to use an online PDF conversion tool. You can visit the Adobe Acrobat website, type in the address of a PDF file and get it to translate the file into a more readable format while you wait. Or you can email the address of the file (or the file itself) to Adobe, and they will email a translation back. These translations of the files may not be as clearly formatted as the original PDF file.
PDF files and browsers
You can configure your web browser to open PDF files either within the browser window or in a separate Adobe Acrobat window. There are detailed instructions on the Acrobat website on how to do so for different browsers.
Are PDF files accessible?
PDF file standards have improved over the years and have become more accessible through technologies like screen readers, navigation through the keyboard and enhanced screen viewing. The Adobe site provides information on how best to use these features. You may come across earlier versions of PDF files which are not so accessible.
How do I search a PDF file?
When you open a PDF file an Acrobat toolbar will appear, featuring a number of tools to help you view and search the document. Running your mouse over the icons, without clicking, will tell you what each of them does. The Search tool will search the document for a word or phrase.
Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader is by far the most popular PDF viewer but there are several other viewers available for download that will allow you to view and print PDF documents on a variety of platforms and systems. The following sites may help:
Practical help with browsers
Information on adjusting your browser to make the text larger or to change the colours.
Internet Explorer 5/6 - browser settings
Practical help with adjusting the settings in your Microsoft Internet Explorer browser to make the screen easier to read.
Increasing the size of the text
Some users find screen text easier to read by increasing the size that the text is displayed.
To do this in Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to the 'View menu', select 'Text Size' and then select either 'Larger' or 'Largest'.
Changing the display on the screen
Internet Explorer provides other ways in which you can fine-tune how a Directgov page displays on your screen.
For example you can remove the background colours and choose which colours to have text, links and visited links displayed.
You can make these changes by:
- Going to the 'Tools' menu at the top of the page
- Selecting 'Internet Options...' from that menu
- Clicking the 'Accessibility...' button
Then tick the box 'Ignore colors specified on Web pages'.
Then click the 'OK' button. This will switch off the background colours in Directgov.
Un-tick the box 'Use Windows colors'. You can then specify which colours you would prefer to be displayed for the text and for links.
You can also specify colours to be used for links your have previously visited and links when your mouse hovers over them.
You can also specify colours to be used for links your have previously visited and links when your mouse hovers over them.
Microsoft publishes detailed information on the accessibility features of the Internet Explorer 6 web browser and other Microsoft software.
