Dstl is committed to ensuring our web site pages are as accessible as possible to the whole of the community.

In particular, we recognise the need to take reasonable steps to enable access to our website for those with impaired sight, learning difficulties or other disabilities.

To evaluate and improve our webpages, we utilise the Bobby software tool from the Centre for Applied Special Technology.

We also utilise the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) HTML validator. This tool checks our HTML code against the official specifications for the latest version of HTML used. Our Cascading Style Sheets are also checked and validated by W3C.

We have used the following browsers during testing:

Internet Explorer 6
Mozilla 5
Opera 7.5

Work on making this site more accessible has been influenced by the Guidelines for UK Government Websites, which incorporate support for the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).

Some of our documents are produced in Portable Document Format (PDF). The Access Adobe online conversion tools will transform these files to a number of other readable formats, which can then be read by common screen reading programs that synthesize text as audible speech.

Keyboard access

The keyboard shortcut commands available within our site are shown below. These commands are designed to help users who have difficulty in using pointing devices, such as a mouse.

1 - Home
3 - Site Map
4 - Search
6 - Help
8 - Privacy Statement
0 - Accessibility (this page)
o - Contact us

To use these keyboard shortcut commands, hold down the ALT or CTRL key and corresponding number on the keyboard at the same time. You will either be taken to the required link, where you will then press ENTER on your keyboard to access the page or the new page will automatically open in your browser window. The keyboard commands used depend on the browser type you are using.

Q. What accessibility standards does this website meet?

The site meets World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) A-level standard. You can read more about these standards at the WWW consortium website

Q. How can I change the text colour and size on this website?

A. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are used to set the colour and size of the text within each page. This formatting can be overridden -

• in MS Explorer by selecting Tools - Internet Options - Accessibility
• in Netscape by selecting Edit - Preferences - Appearance - Fonts

Q. Can I use screen magnification software?

A. Although some of the web browser features mentioned above might be helpful, they do not offer the same level of access as the magnification software packages developed by specialist software suppliers. The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) website provides in-depth information for partially sighted web users..

Q. I have very restrictive vision. What are my options?

If you have little or no vision, the internet can be accessed using a speaking browser and refreshable braille displays. A speaking browser reads aloud the contents of the entire website. Braille displays translate the site's content into braille, which can be read by touch. Visit the RNIB website for details of technology designed to help if you have a visual disability.

Q. I have physical disabilities. What can help me to access the site?

A. The AbilityNet website provides information that can help people with disabilities make better use of computers. AbilityNet is a British charity.

Q. I still have an accessibility problem with this website. Who should I contact?

A. If you are still having problems or have a question that you want to ask, visit the feedback page to send us your query by email.