This website has been built to follow current best practice for accessibility of UK Government websites. Many features have been added to aid site comprehension and navigation for users of assistive browsers, some of which are outlined below:

Access Keys

Access Keys provide alternative navigation without using a mouse. The site follows UK Government Access Key guidelines:

0 – Accessibility and Access Key details
1 – Home page
2 – Our news section containing news releases
3 – Site map
8 – Privacy policy
S - Jump to page content

To use Access Keys hold down either Alt, Ctrl or Shift (depending on your browser) with the Access Key (listed above) and press the Enter key (if required).

Images
Images have alt text where they add to the comprehension of the page. All trivial images have null Alt text.

Accessibility Rating
Testing of this site was carried out using Bobby on 10 March 2006. It has attained 'AA' WAI rating.

PDFs
For information on PDF files and accessibility visit access.adobe.com

BrowseAloud
Our website offers a link to BrowseAloud. This is a free tool that speech enables website content. It offers a practical website access service to people with reading difficulties and those who find it easier to listen to, rather than read the content of our website.

It assists in the navigations of our website for the following sections of the population:

• Those with low literacy and reading skills
• Those where English is not the first language
• Dyslexic people
• Those with mild visual impairment

External Sites
The Scottish Executive is not responsible for content or accessibility of external links.

Browsers
Below you will find links to help you tailor your current browser to your needs, alternative browsers or add-ons:

Internet Explorer
Information provided by Microsoft on how to change browser settings.
http://www.microsoft.com/

JAWS screen reader
Download a free trial copy of the screen reader Jaws.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/

MAGic screen magnification
Information on screen magnification software.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/

Opera
Information provided by Opera on how to change browser settings.
http://www.opera.com/

WindowEyes
Screen reader with Braille support.
http://www.accessingenuity.com/