Altering Text Size
To alter your text size you can use either the mouse or the keyboard. If you hold down the control key (Ctrl) on your keyboard and then press the + key the text will increase in size. Holding down the control key and pressing - will reduce the text size.
In many browsers you can also do this by holding down the control key and moving the scroll wheel of your mouse. Scrolling forward one click will increase the text size and scrolling back decreases the etext size.
Altering Text Colours
Some people find certain text and background colour combinations difficult to read, while others prefer to always have a specific colour such as white text on a black background. In either case it is easy to set your own colours.
Move your mouse pointer over the word 'Tools' that is displayed at the top of the browser window and click the mouse button once. This will display a list dropdown list of options. Move the mouse pointer over the option labelled 'Internet Options' and click the mouse button once. This will open up a new window. Move the mouse pointer over the button labelled 'Accessibility' and click the mouse button once. A further window will now open. Move your mouse pointer to the box beside 'Ignore colours specified on web page' and click the mouse button once this will tick the box. Move your mouse pointer over the button labelled 'Ok' and click the mouse button once and repeat on the remaining window. The web site will now be using the same colour scheme as on your computer.
If you need to change the text or background colours on the web page within 'Internet Options' move the mouse pointer over the button labelled 'Colors' and click the mouse button once. The default setting is to have the 'Use Windows colors' option selected, to use your own colours move your mouse pointer to the ticked box and click the mouse button once. Now move your mouse pointer to the block of colour beside either 'Text' or 'Background' and click the mouse button once. Move your mouse pointer to the colour you wish to use and click the mouse button once. When finished move the mouse pointer over the button labelled 'Ok' and repeat on the remaining window.
Trouble with scrolling?
Some people with mobility problems have difficulty with long, scrolling pages.
First, try using the arrow keys on your keyboard. The 'Up' and 'Down' arrow keys will help with scrolling. You can also jump a screen at a time by using the 'Page Up' and 'Page Down' keys. You can also jump to the top and bottom of the page by using the 'Home' and 'End' keys.
To move through the site, try using your tab key, followed by the return key.
Difficulty with the mouse?
Using a mouse can be very hard if you have stiff fingers or limited use of your hands.
You might find it easier to use a 'roller' or 'trackball' mouse, or one of the mice designed for children. Abilitynet has lots of information about alternatives, as well as other useful hints to make using your computer less of a strain.
We have tried to make this website easy for everyone to use. If you have any comments about how we could improve it, please let us know.