Web site help and accessibility

Accessibility

We are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of technology or ability.

This website endeavours to conform to level Double-A of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0

We've commissioned industry-leading independent accessibility experts, the Shaw Trust, and have been working closely with them as we developed the new website.

Read our full accessibility statement.

Access keys

Where possible this site uses the UK Government Access keys system. We have also added extra ones that apply to our site only. This allows you to move through the web site using keyboard shortcuts.

This is of particular use to people who have trouble using, or prefer not to use, a mouse or other pointing device and people with cognitive impairments.

Access keys only work on some web browsers, for example, Internet Explorer 4 and above.

Access keys and how to use them

Different browsers use access keys in different ways. Below is the list of how to make them work.

Browsers for PCs

Firefox 1.5: Hold down the ALT key and press the number/letter of the access key.
Firefox 2+: Hold down the SHIFT key and the ALT key and then press the number/letter of the access key.
Internet Explorer 4: Hold down the ALT key and press the number/letter of the access key.
Internet Explorer 5+: Hold down the ALT key, press the number/letter of the access key, release both keys then press ENTER.
Netscape earlier versions: Access keys are not supported.
Netscape 6+: Hold down the ALT key and select the number/letter of the access key.
Netscape 7: Hold down the ALT key and press the number/letter of the access key.
Opera 9: Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.

Browsers for Macs

Firefox 1.5: Hold down the CTRL key and press the number/letter of the access key.
Firefox 2: Hold down the SHIFT key and the ALT key and then press the number/letter of the access key.
Internet Explorer 4.5: Access keys are not supported.
Internet Explorer 5+: Hold down the CTRL key and press the number/letter of the access key.
Opera 9: Hold SHIFT and the ESC key and the list of access keys will appear.
Safari: Hold down the CTRL key and press the number/letter of the access key.

Change font and text size

It is possible to change both the font and text size of all our pages. Below are details of how to do this in Internet Explorer and Firefox. It is possible to change text size, but not font in Safari. Where possible we have given the keyboard shortcuts, shown in brackets.

Zoom

The quick way to change font size in Internet Explorer (7 and above), Firefox and Safari is to use the zoom function:

To zoom in Ctrl (cmd on a Mac) and +
To zoom out Ctrl (cmd on a Mac) and -
To reset to the default Ctrl (cmd on a Mac) and 0

Please note all three browsers keep everything in proportion, increasing and decreasing page width and image size. Therefore if you zoom in you need to scroll the page sideways to read a complete line.

Internet Explorer

Font

From the tool bar, select Tools (Alt + T).
Select Internet Options (Shift + O). This will open a new window.
Select Fonts (Alt + N). This will open a new window.
Select the webpage font you want (Alt + W then use the up and down arrow keys).
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Select Accessibility (Alt + E). This will open a new window.
Check 'Ignore font styles specified on web pages' (Alt + S). This will put a tick in the box.
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Select OK. This will close the last of the new windows and the page should be in the font you have just set.

From the tool bar, select either Page or View (Alt + P or Alt + V). This will make a drop down box appear.
Select Text size (Shift + X). This will make a box appear at the side.
Select the text size you want (Shift + G for largest; L for larger; M for medium; S for smaller; A for smallest). This will close the lists and the text should be in the size you have just set.

Firefox

Font

From the tool bar, select Tools (Alt + T).
Select Internet Options (Shift + O). This will open a new window.
Select Content on the top bar of this new window (use the left and right arrow keys).
Select Default font, either Alt + D then use the up and down arrow keys or click on the down arrow next to the font box. This will make a list of fonts appear, then click on the font you want. This will make the list disappear.
Select Advanced (Alt + A). This will open a new window.
Uncheck 'Allow pages to choose their own fonts, instead of my selections above' (Alt + A). This will remove the tick from the box.
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Select OK. This will close the last of the new windows and the page should be in the font you have just set.

From the tool bar, select Tools (Alt + T).
Select Internet Options (Shift + O). This will open a new window.
Select Content on the top bar of this new window (use the left and right arrow keys).
Select Size, either Alt + Z then use the up and down arrow keys or click on the down arrow next to the font size box. This will make a list of sizes appear, then click on the size you want. This will make the list disappear.
Select OK. This will close the window and the text should be in the size you have just set.

Safari

From the tool bar, select Edit (Alt + E).
Select Preferences (Shift + N). This will open a new window.
Select Appearance on the top bar of this new window.
Select Standard font. This will open a new window.
Select the font size you want.
Close both boxes and the text should be in the size you have just set.

Change page colours

It is possible to change both the text and the background colours of all our pages. Below are details of how to do this in Internet Explorer and Firefox. It is not possible to set colours within Safari. Where possible we have given the keyboard shortcuts, shown in brackets.

Internet Explorer

From the tool bar, select Tools (Alt + T).
Select Internet Options (Shift + O). This will open a new window.
Select Colors (Alt + O). This will open a new window.
Uncheck 'Use Windows colors' (Shift + W).
Select the first of the coloured box (Shift + T). This will open a new window.
Select the colour you want.
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Repeat for the other coloured boxes – background (Shift + B); visited (Shift + I); unvisited (Shift + N); hover (Shift + O).
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Select Accessibility (Alt + E). This will open a new window.
Check 'Ignore colors specified on web pages' (Alt + C). This will put a tick in the box.
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Select OK. This will close the last of the new windows and the page should be in the colours you have just set. If the page isn't, hold down the Ctrl button, press F5, then let them both go.

Further help and advice from Microsoft can be found by going to the accessibility section of the Microsoft web site.

Firefox

From the tool bar, select Tools (Alt + T).
Select Internet Options (Shift + O). This will open a new window.
Select Content on the top bar of this new window (use the left and right arrow keys).
Select Colours (Alt + C). This will open a new window.
Either click on the first coloured box, or hit any of the arrow keys. This will open a new window.
Choose the colour you want. Clicking on the colour will close the window. Hitting return will close both this window and the 'Colours' window.
Repeat for the other three coloured boxes. If using the keyboard, you will need to tab to each one in turn.
Uncheck 'Use system colours' (Alt + S).
Uncheck 'Allow pages to chose their own colors, instead of my selection above' (Alt + A).
Select OK. This will shut the window.
Select OK. This will close the last of the new windows and the page should be in the colours you have just set.

BSL video

Our BSL videos use the Macromedia Flash plugin version 6 or newer.

Flash is a free, self-installing browser plugin that you can download in less than a minute. If you use a computer in a organisation or company, ask your helpdesk to install the plugin. Get the latest version of Flash.

Troubleshooting

Cannot see anything

If you cannot see the video loading screen you need to download the Flash player software. Get the latest version of Flash.

I see the loading screen, but not the BSL video

Reload the video page using the 'Reload' or 'Refresh' commands; on PCs, hold down the Ctrl button, press F5, then let them both go; on Macs, hold down the Command and shift buttons, press R, then let all three go. You may need to wait longer, or try another time if the Internet is slow.

The quality is not as good as my TV

We have to reduce the video quality to make it possible to view over the Internet. We tested these videos to make sure that BSL users could understand them.

Still having problems?

We cannot provide technical support for your computer, but we can check that the problem is not at our end. Please contact us by emailing communications.marketing@bristol.gov.uk.

PDF help for people with visual difficulties

If you have any problems reading PDF files, the following tools are available:

Convert the PDF document to html: email the PDF or its web address as an email attachment to pdf2html@adobe.com. The converter will email back the translation as an html file.

Convert the PDF document to plain text: email the PDF or its web address as an email attachment to pdf2txt@adobe.com. The converter will email back the translation as a plain text file.

Equipment in libraries

We offer free public access computers in all of our libraries, over 200 machines in total. You do not need to be a member of Bristol Libraries to use these machines. All libraries have specialist equipment to assist disabled people with using these computers. Specific items in each library vary, but can include:

Braille embosser - Central Library only.
Braille keyboard - Central Library only.
Computer desk - wheelchair accessible.
Jaws screen reader.
Large print keyboard.
Large screen computer monitor.
SuperNova screen reader.
Trackerball mouse.

In addition to specialist computer equipment we have a range of other resources and services available for disabled people. Details of what we offer in each library can be found on the following pages:

Feedback

We welcome any comments or feedback you may have on the accessibility of our website.

How easy was our website to use?
Did you encounter any problems using it?
Do you have any suggestions on how we can make the site easier and more accessible to use?

Please feel free to contact using our website feedback form.

Search tips – can't find what you need?

Think of different words or be more specific

Example: Instead of policy, try vulnerable adults policy.

Search looks for words which start with your search word.

Example: woman automatically searches for woman, womans and woman's.

Making your search more accurate

Use quotes for a phrase, eg "adoption panel".

Use * if you only know part of the word, eg rac* will find race, racism, racial.

Use ~ if you are not sure of spelling, eg for a sound-alike search: climbi~ will find the word Climbe.

Use && to find text that contains two words anywhere in the document eg temporary && jobs.

Use + to require that the word after the + symbol exists somewhere in the text, eg +adoption panel must have "adoption" and may have "panel".

Use - to exclude the following word, eg adoption -panel must have "adoption" but not have "panel".

PDF files

PDF look like a printed page and are often used for documents on this web site.

Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

You may already have the software on a CD-ROM disk given to you by your the company that supplies your Internet connection, or on a disk from a computer magazine.

Or you can download the latest version of the reader from the Adobe website for free.

The reader program download filesize is about 20MB.

Reader version

We advise our customers to upgrade to the latest version of the reader from the Adobe website.

There was recently a security problem with older versions of the reader (Security advisory: Cross-site scripting vulnerability) and for this reason new pdf files are created using the latest version of Acrobat and can't be opened using older versions of the reader.

Reading PDFs

When you select the link to a PDF, it will open in your browser window.

A toolbar will appear below the browser address bar, featuring a number of tools to help you view and search the document.

If you use a mouse, running your mouse over the icons in PDF reader, without clicking, will tell you what each of them does.

Especially useful are the page size tools (which look like 3 pages). You can use these or the dropdown view menu (bottom left hand corner of the screen) to select a suitable view.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes a PDF file will open but only a blank page is visible. This may be because the view is zoomed into a blank section of the document. Use the dropdown view menu (bottom left hand corner of the screen) to select a suitable view, 100% or 'Fit Width' are usually best.

It may also be because the you are using an older version of the reader, you may want to upgrade to the latest version of the reader from the Adobe website.

If you are still having problems, try clicking on the link to the PDF file you want to see with your right mouse button (Control-click on Mac). This will bring up a small menu - if you select 'Save Target As' (or Save Link As) from this you will be able to save the file and open it outside the browser.

For more help visit the adobe reader help and support web site.

MP3 sound

These sound recordings are stored as MP3 files. Most modern computers have software which will play these recordings.

To listen, you can either download the recording to your computer or listen on the web page.

Troubleshooting

I can't hear any sounds

Does your computer have sound facilities? It needs to have a sound card and loudspeakers or headphones.

Are your speakers or headphones plugged in and switched on?

Try reloading the web page using the 'Reload' or 'Refresh' commands. (Select 'View' then 'Refresh' in Internet Explorer).

Some web filtering software can block the MP3 files we use to send the sound. If you are using a computer provided by your employer, they may be using this type of software. If you think this is the case, ask your IT support contact for help.

Still having problems?

We cannot provide technical support for your computer, but we can check that the problem is not at our end. Please contact us by emailing communications.marketing@bristol.gov.uk.

MS Word

These files are commonly called DOC or Word files. They are documents formatted in Microsoft word processing software.

A viewer for reading and printing these files is available from Microsoft's Download Center.

Get Safe Online

Get Safe Online is a new initiative from the Government's Hi-Tech Crime Unit.

The Get Safe Online website is a one-stop-shop for independent expert advice to help individuals and small businesses protect themselves against internet threats such as viruses, spam, spyware and online fraud.

The Get Safe Online, has been created by the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit and leading businesses as a free public service.

Online communities and social media

Online communities are websites that enable people who share a common interest to interact with each other. Bristol City Council uses some online communities such as Twitter, Flickr and YouTube to communicate with local residents and businesses.

Twitter

Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as 'tweets'), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

Bristol City Council 'tweets' a few times a day about news and events. You can follow us at @BristolCouncil.

We also have specialised Twitter accounts, all under the listing @BristolCouncil/bristol-services:

Account	Contents
@AskBristol	Webcasts, consultations, discussions, citizen ideas & e-petitions to help you engage and raise issues with us
@Bristol_Health	BCC Health Policy, working in partnership with Bristol NHS, local charities and businesses, to promote health in our city
@ConnectBristol	The City Council's digital development agency
@bristol_museum	Bristol's premier museum and art gallery houses world-class collections of art, archaeology, geology and natural history
@betterbybike	Information on Bristol as First Cycle City
@BristolLibrary	Information on Bristol Library Services
@stnicksmarket	Information of Bristol’s St Nicholas Market

Flickr

Flickr is a free online photo management and sharing application. We use Flickr to share and bring together all images of the city: Flickr: Bristol City Council.

YouTube

YouTube is a free online video sharing application. We use YouTube to share videos about the work we do, our people and events: You tube: Bristol City Council.

Facebook

Facebook is a free social networking website. Users can join networks organised by city, workplace, school and region to connect and interact with other people. Bristol My City is the Council's Facebook page.

Safety

Please follow safe surfing guidelines when using the Internet and social media:

Safe surfing information from the Internet Watch Foundation.
Facebook's Family Safety Centre.
Get Safe Online is a one-stop-shop for independent expert advice.

The presence of any advertisement on online communities is not an endorsement of the authenticity or quality of the goods, services or website and Bristol City Council can not be held responsible for any claims arising in this respect.

Libel

Please take care not to make libellous statements. In law this means a statement that lowers the reputation of a person or organisation in the eyes of a reasonable person. By publishing such a statement we can both get into serious trouble. We will therefore take down any statement that could be deemed libellous.

Purdah

In the six week run-up to an election (local, general or European), councils have to be very careful not to do or say anything that could be seen to support any political party or candidate in any way. This period is known as 'purdah'. We will continue to publish important service announcements using social media but may have to remove responses if they are overtly party political.

Web site help and accessibility

Accessibility

Access keys

Access keys and how to use them

Browsers for PCs

Browsers for Macs

Access keys used on this site:

Change font and text size

Zoom

Internet Explorer

Font

Text size

Firefox

Font

Text size

Safari

Text size

Change page colours

Internet Explorer

Firefox

BSL video

Troubleshooting

Cannot see anything

I see the loading screen, but not the BSL video

The quality is not as good as my TV

Still having problems?

PDF help for people with visual difficulties

Equipment in libraries

Feedback

Search tips – can't find what you need?

Making your search more accurate

PDF files

Reader version

Reading PDFs

Troubleshooting

MP3 sound

Troubleshooting

I can't hear any sounds

Still having problems?

MS Word

Get Safe Online

Online communities and social media

Twitter

Flickr

YouTube

Facebook

Safety

Libel

Purdah

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BCC secondary navigation