Website Accessibility

What is web accessibility?

Web accessibility is the practice of making website content available to all users, particularly those with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. It includes making a website as accessible as possible regardless of browsing technology, such as for people with text-only web browsers and old browser versions.

ACT Government’s commitment to web accessibility

The ACT Government is committed to making its website accessible to as many people as possible. To this end we are endeavouring to meet AA accessibility checkpoints as defined in the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. This commitment applies only to the Libraries ACT  website www.library.act.gov.au and not to websites that are linked from our pages. Compliance with web accessibility is an ongoing process which we are regularly working to improve. If you experience problems accessing any of the information on our site, please contact us and we will try our best to fix the problem or provide the information in an alternative format.

Access Keys

Access keys enable a user to bring focus to page elements (usually links) using the keyboard. They are designed to assist users who prefer keyboard navigation, or are unable to use a mouse, and also provides easy access for frequent users.

On most Windows browsers, pressing 'Alt + the access key number' will highlight the link, and pressing Enter will take you to the destination page. On most Macintosh browsers, pressing 'Control + the access key number' will take you to the destination page. 

Some earlier versions of Web browsers do not support access keys. The online help in your Web browser provides further information.

The Libraries ACT web site uses the following access keys on every page:

• S: Skip navigation
• 1: Home page
• 2: not used
• 3: Site map
• 4: Search
• 5: Copyright
• 6: not used
• 7: not used
• 8: not used
• 9: not used
• 0: Access key details (this page)

Internet Explorer 7

Internet Explorer 7 allows you to modify your web browser experience by allowing the user to customise the default settings.  The following is the process that you would need to follow.

• Go to the tools drop down menu in the top navigation of your web browser.
• Select Internet Options.
• Select the Advanced option.
• Sub-headings will allow you to change your browser settings.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox 3.0 also allows users to customise the browser's default settings.

• Go to the tools drop down menu in the top navagation of your web browser.
• Select Options.
• Now you can change the settings to your prefered options.

Change the Website Text Size

Hold down 'Ctrl' and press '+' to increase the text font size or 'Ctrl' and '-' to decrease the text font size. 

You can also select 'Ctrl' + 'mouse scroll' to zoom in and zoom out of the webpage.

• Select the View option from your browser (Internet Explorer)
• Then select Text Size and select the text size you prefer
• Select the View option from your browser (Firefox)
• Select Zoom and select the text size you prefer

Opening PDF files with Acrobat Reader

To view and print PDF files, you must have Adobe® Acrobat® Reader installed. To download this free product please visit Adobe PDF reader  

The following section will provide you with assistance to set up your acrobat reader application to open PDf files in it's own window rather than being embedded in your Internet browser.

• Open Adobe Acrobat Reader from your Windows Programs menu
• Select "Edit" from the main Acrobat reader toolbar menu and
• Select the "Preferences" option
• Select "Internet" from the "Categories" section of the Preferences window
• un-click the "Display PDF in browser" option from the Web Browser Options section

Accessibility Resources

File formats used on the Libraries ACT website

The Libraries ACT website provides visitors with the following file formats:

PDF files
Created using Adobe Acrobat - retains the formatting of the printed version of a document in an easy to download. It also protects the documents from editing. To view PDF files you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.  Download the free software at Adobe PDF reader

Word and RTF
For Windows users who don't have Microsoft Word, the Word Viewer allows you to view MS Word files. You can download the free software at MS Word Viewer

Excel
For Windows users who don't have Microsoft Excel, the Excel Viewer 2003 allows you to view Excel files. You can download the free software MS Excel Viewer

PowerPoint
For Powerpoint users who don't have Microsoft PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer 2007 allows you to view PowerPoint files. You can download the free software at MS PowerPoint Viewer

Other Resources

• NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) is a free and open source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system.