Web Accessibility Statement

Dorset College is committed to providing web pages that are universally accessible to all users. To this end, new Dorset websites meet a minimum of W3C Level 2 compliance in line with the Web Accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.0). Websites that are designed by and in conjunction with the Digital and Web unit are tested and validated in line with these standards.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any issues with accessing information on our website or if you wish to provide any feedback or comments with regard to Web Accessibility for the Dorset College website.

When websites are correctly designed, developed and edited, all users can have equal access to the sites' information, functionality and benefits. Dorset College aims to make our websites accessible and usable for people of all abilities and disabilities. Many people use assistive technologies to allow them, for example, to view websites in easier-to-read colours, with larger fonts or as spoken text, or to navigate around a site using the keyboard only. The following items have been prioritised to assist with consistency and accessibility i.e.

Consistent Dorset College Header and Footer navigation

Navigation
Website navigation is coded as lists to ensure that all menu navigation can be read by screen readers.

The first link on a Dorset web page is a hidden link called "Skip to main content ". By pressing enter on this link, the screen reader will skip directly to the main page content. Many web pages include a "Back to Top" link(s). Pressing enter on these links will take the user back to the main content.

Heading elements (H1, H2, H3) etc. are used extensively throughout the website along with skip links and back to top links.

Tables – Data tables include summary attributes and are coded using Row and Column titles.  It is recommended not to use tables for layout purposes.

Images - All images are coded to use an ALT attribute or LONGDESC attribute. Blank alt attributes are used for decorative images such as bulleted-list images, spacer images, etc.

Font-sizing and Stylesheets – Content and presentation are separate with presentation being controlled by Stylesheets.  The default font is set to a sans-serif for main webpage content and fonts can be resized in each browser using CTRL +/- in Firefox and View, Text Size in IE (method is dependent on browser version).

Forms - All forms are coded where labels are explicitly linked to relevant input field

Using your browser

The following are some tips on getting the most from your browser (note the following may not work in all browsers)

Open a new Tab – Hold down CTRL and click on a link
Open a new Window – Hold down SHIFT and click on a link
Increase Font Size – Hold down CTRL and press +
Decrease Font Size - Hold down CTRL and press  –
Reset font size – Hold down CTRL and press 0

Further guidelines and resources for College Accessibility

In addition to the above, Dorset College has provided further resources on ensuring an accessible environment:

Accessible information - help and tips and how to create accessible content and more information on the accessible information policy which was introduced into college in June 2009

Assistive Technology resources – There are a wide range of assistive technologies available to staff & students of Dorset College to find out how to access these resources

Accessible procurement of Goods and Services - information on acquiring goods & services in an inclusive manner and ensuring your department is compliant with College policy

Accessibility Feedback

We continue to make further improvements and enhancements to our website accessibility features and value your feedback. Please let us know of any problems you may have encountered, or of any features that you have found particularly useful by emailing [email protected]