Defence endeavours to make its web content as accessible as possible to the widest audience. This includes those users who use assistive technology or accessibility features. By adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.0 guidelines for accessible web design, we acknowledge the diversity of communication methods, available technologies and abilities of web-users in the community.
Browser Settings
Some commonly used browsers require different settings to allow users to make website more viewable. Pointers on how to make viewing websites more pleasant are found at the Media Access Australia website - http://mediaaccess.org.au/online-media/web-browsers. The MAA website has information and links to other websites that provide methods on altering text size, setting defaults for popular browsers and other tools.
Hints and Tips on making your web experience better
How do I make the text smaller / bigger?
Here are some ways to change text size:
For your operating system:
- Windows XP (Microsoft) - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308978
- Windows 7 (Microsoft) - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Make-the-text-on-your-screen-larger-or-smaller
- Mac OS (Apple) - http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/vision.html
For your web browser only:
- Internet Explorer (Microsoft) - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-webpage-text-size-in-Internet-Explorer
- Firefox (Mozilla) - http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/font-size-and-zoom-increase-size-of-web-pages?redirectlocale=en-US&redirectslug=Text+Zoom
- Safari (Apple) - http://www.apple.com/safari/features.html#accessibility
The site does not fit on my screen – can I still use it?
Our website has been designed to scale between some of the most commonly used screen widths. Some screens will display a scroll bar to allow viewing of the web page.
Why do pages look different when I print them out?
When a page is printed we have tried to provide it as an optimised version by removing navigation, background colours and images. This results in a printed page that has relevant content and is suitable for most printers.
I don’t use a mouse – can I still use the site?
Navigating a website can be achieved without a mouse by using the tab key, providing the tab order of the site and the pages is set in a logical manner.
- SELECT "Can I use the keyboard to surf the web?" - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Internet-Explorer-accessibility-options#
- http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/physical.html
I am deaf – how can I access audio content on this site?
Here are some browser tools which may assist:
- Assistive Technology Products (Microsoft) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=165634
- http://www.apple.com/accessibility/macosx/hearing.html
I use a screen reader – how will the site work for me?
As this site is updated we are endeavouring to add appropriate and meaningful tags to links, images and tables within this site.
- SELECT "How can I improve the way Internet Explorer works with my screen reader or voice recognition software?" - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Internet-Explorer-accessibility-options
Reading PDF Documents
Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required to view some of the documents on this site. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe website - http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/.
Follow the links and instructions at this site on how to download and install the Acrobat software.
Visit the Adobe website for more information on Acrobat and accessibility - http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/acrobat/