Making knowledge work
The University of Bradford is committed to making its Web site accessible. To this end, the World Wide Web Advisory Board has developed a Code of Practice for Web based materials. The University also offers staff a comprehensive training programme.
If we can make our Web based information more accessible to you, please e-mail your suggestions to suggestions@bradford.ac.uk.
Many of the University's Web pages carry a low vision/text only link. These use the BBC Education Text to Speech Internet Enhancer ( Betsie ) to provide a textual representation of a graphically based page. It also offers facilities to change the font/background displays.
Access keys are keyboard shortcut keys that enable users to access areas of the page or Web site using the assigned character on the keyboard rather than using a mouse to click on links, buttons etc. Another key may need to be pressed at the same time as the access key to make it work (eg in Internet Explorer ALT and the access key need to be pressed).
The following additional access keys are available on the University's top-level internal pages using Internet Explorer:
Most Web browsers allow you to increase/decrease the font size or choose a different font style providing the page is written to allow scaling of fonts. The University's supported Web browser is Internet Explorer v6 and v7. With this browser, you can increase/decrease the size of the font by:
To change the font style:
On the University's internal home page and various others, there are three colour options:
Cookies must be enabled in order to use these. The Cookie stores your preferences on your computer; it does not hold any personal data.
For other pages, you can set colour preferences in Internet Explorer by:
If you work from off campus using your own computer, you may not have the software supported by the University available. There are, however, viewers/readers that you can download and install to enable you to view the files. These might be particularly helpful for students accessing Blackboard course materials.
From September 2007, all public cluster PCs will have Microsoft Office 2007 installed. Staff who use earlier versions of Microsoft Office can download the Office 2007 File Compatibility Pack, via Start menu - UoB Apps - Application Installers (if the department is supported by IT-Services). Otherwise it can be downloaded from http://www.office.microsoft.com/.
All Learner Support PC clusters have at least one computer with a larger screen for visually impaired users. All the computers have the standard Microsoft Windows XP Accessibility features enabled. In addition, a number of useful software packages can be found in the Disabled Users folder on the start menu of PCs. We also have a document - Accessibility Options in Windows XP and PC Clusters - that describes how to set up the accessibility features available in Windows XP. It also covers some specific software installed on Learner Support Services PC clusters that may assist those with disabilities.
Learner Support Services outline the Accessibility facilities they have available to help you use their services; these include physical access, information and assistance, services such as photocopying, and special equipment.
Some students have experienced difficulties opening, reading and printing files from Blackboard. The viewers outlined above should help to resolve issues concerned with opening files, although opening large file sizes over a relatively slow Internet connection may still be a factor.
Opening Blackboard links to files in a new window rather than within the Blackboard window offers more flexibility for reading and printing files. To do this:
You can then:
If you require documents in a specialised format, make sure you tell your tutor at the start of your module
We are also taking steps to promote good practice in producing online documents; the following documents help with this:
Learner Support Services provides a variety of IT accessibility documentation to help users.
The Disability Office can provide more specialist help and equipment, and will do their best to ensure that you receive the advice, information and support disabled staff and students require.
Content Manager: info-admin@bradford.ac.uk | Web Accessibility
University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK Tel: +44 (0)1274 232323
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Disclaimer: This page may include links to information provided by external services that are not in any way under the control of the University of
Bradford. The University cannot, therefore, be held responsible for its content or accuracy.