Accessibility Statement

Introduction
Keyboard shortcuts using access keys
Text alternatives for graphics & images
Text, contrast & colour controls
BrowseAloud - text to speech service

Introduction

Northern Constabulary is committed to ensuring our services are as accessible as possible to the whole of the community that we serve. In particular, we recognise the need to take reasonable steps to enable access to our website for those with impaired sight or other disabilities.

Work on making this site more accessible has been influenced by the Guidelines for UK Government Websites, which incorporate support for the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Once complete the website will maintain a 'WAI-AA' rating.

Keyboard shortcuts using access keys

The access key is an HTML attribute that allows you to use various keyboard shortcuts to jump to specific sections or pages of a website. For instance by pressing a certain keyboard shortcut you can bypass the navigation and jump straight to the main content or go to a specific page on the site.

Access keys on this website:

There are five main access keys used on this website. They are:-

'S' = Will allow you to skip past the navigation and go straight to the main content area.
'H' = Will take you directly to the 'Home' page.
'1' = Will take you to a 'Text Only' version of the website
'2' = Will take you to the 'Accessibility' page
'3' = Will take you directly to the 'Site Map' page
'4' = Will take you directly to the 'Contact Us' page

Using Accesskeys with different computers & software:

Access keys work differently depending on the software & platform that is being used. The following is a guide on how to use keyboard shortcuts with different system platforms and web browsers.

Using Access keys on a PC with Microsoft Windows:
If you are using Windows pressing the ' Alt ' key in combination with the access key will highlight that link on the page, you then press ' Enter ' to select that link.

Using Access keys on an Apple Mac:
If you are using a Mac pressing the ' Ctrl ' key in combination with the access key will automatically send you to that specific page.

Using Access keys with different Web Browsers:
As mentioned before access key controls behave differently with different web browsers. The following is a guide to how different browsers handle this feature.

Internet Explorer 5, 6 & 7 (PC)
Hold down the ' Alt ' key, press the number of the Access key, release both keys then press ' Enter '
Internet Explorer 4 (PC)
Hold down the ' Alt ' key and press the number of the Access key
Internet Explorer 5+ (Mac)
Hold down the ' Ctrl ' key and press the number of the Access key
Internet Explorer 4.5 (Mac)
Access keys are not supported.
Netscape 6 and earlier (PC and Mac)
Access keys are not supported
Firefox, Mozilla (PC)
Hold down the ' Alt ' key and press the number of the Access key
Firefox, Mozilla 2.0+ (PC)
Hold down the ' Alt ' & 'Shift' key and press the number of the Access key
Firefox, Mozilla (Mac)
Hold down the ' Ctrl ' key and press the number of the Access key
Safari and Omniweb (Mac)
Hold down the ' Ctrl ' key and press the number of the Access key
Opera
Hold down the ' Shift ' key and press ' Escape ' , release both keys, then press the number of the Access key

Please note: The above list is only to be used as a guide as your browser may or may not support Access keys.

Text alternatives for graphics & images

All graphics and images on this site will have an ALT attribute where necessary. The ALT attribute is used to display a text equivalent description of any image or photograph. ALT attributes can be used in conjunction with a screen reader for visually impaired users.

Text, contrast & colour controls

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) 'AA' rating requires that the user is given the choice of how they view the content of a website by changing certain attributes to suit their needs. These attributes include the size of the text as well as the colour scheme & contrast of the page with regards to the text and background.

Controlling the font size with the web browser

The Northern Constabulary website uses relative units as values in its markup language to control the size of the Text on each page. This means that you can change the size of the text via your web browsers menu system.

Changing the Text Size on Internet Explorer:

Click on 'View' on the menu at the top of the browser window
Select the 'Text Size' option
Choose between 'Five' different options - 'Largest', 'Larger', 'Medium', 'Smaller' and 'Smallest'

Changing the Text Size on Firefox:

Click on 'View' on the menu at the top of the browser window
Select the 'Text Size' option
Choose between 'Three' different options - 'Increase', 'Decrease' and 'Normal'

Please Note: Your web browser may or may not have text sizing options available.

Text Only Site - Specific Website Controls

The Northern Constabulary website has a 'Text Only Site' option that displays all the pages in text format. When you select this option the page is displayed using the most basic markup language that is totally compliant to WC3 standards. This option could easily be read using a screen reader and will also provide helpful controls over how the website is presented.

There are 3 main areas which you can control using this option.