Help
Introduction
This aim of this site is to aid recruitment. This page will help you make the best use of the technologies used to construct the site.
Usability and accessibility
Screen Size
The site is designed so that it is usable with a variety of screens sizes and monitor resolutions. A setting of 800 x 600 does have some horizontal scrolling although no information is lost at this resolution.
Web Testing
The site is tested in as many browsers and browser versions as possible.
Colour Schemes
There should be a suitable contrast between the foreground text and the colour background in order that the most effective combination is presented to users with visual impairments/colour blindness/learning difficulties etc.
Navigation
Where images are used for navigation (for example a clickable logo, an image map or a graphical ‘rollover button’) a text-based alternative is always be included, so that users who have chosen not to display images in their browser can continue to navigate effectively.
Security and privacy
Please read our privacy policy for details of how we manage data collection, the use of cookies and other security concerns (opens in a new window).
Moving around the site
To move around the site, click on the menu items with your mouse. The menu items at the top of the page act as a general introduction. Clicking a menu to the left will take you to a submenu with more details about the role.
Whenever your cursor looks like a hand rather than an arrow, it means you can click and go to another page. Links in the text areas are highlighted.
Once you have left the home page, you will see a line of text at the top left of each menu that shows you which section you are in.
You can also use the back button on your browser to return to the page you last visited.
Help with PDFs
What is a PDF?
Where possible, downloadable documents within this site are in Portable Document Format (PDF). A standard adopted by governments and organisations worldwide, PDF is a reliable format for electronic document exchange that preserves document integrity so files can be viewed and printed on a variety of platforms. Where possible we make downloadable documents in this file format for data security and integrity reasons.
On this site all PDFs are indicated by the icon on the left.
How can I open and view a PDF document?
In order to view a PDF document, you need free software called Adobe Acrobat Reader, created by the company called Adobe. However PDFs are not easily accessible to all users so Adobe has developed a method of converting PDF documents into HTML (normal web pages), a more accessible format for assistive technologies.
Download the free Adobe reader
How do I convert a PDF document into HTML?
The URL (the web address) of a PDF document will appear in the web browser address bar when it is selected. Copy the url (normally starts like this: http://www.gsl.ukshells.co.uk/microsites/... ) and then visit Adobe's website on the link below.
www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_onlinetools.html
Online conversion tools for Adobe PDF documents
Once you have clicked on the link above, you will see an online form created by Adobe. Simply paste the URL into the box you will see and the contents of the PDF will be automatically converted to HTML - an ordinary web page; and in that form it should then be accessible.
There are further features and capabilities of Adobe products that enhance electronic document accessibility for people with disabilities such as blindness, low vision, and motor impairments. You can visit their website using the link below, where you will find this information and links to resources that help people with disabilities work more effectively with Adobe software.
http://access.adobe.com
Adobe website, accessibility information.
How can I view a Word file if I don't have Microsoft Word software?
Microsoft has made a free Word Viewer available to download.
Microsoft Word documents are indicated with an icon on the left.
How can I view an Excel file if I don't have Microsoft Word software?
Microsoft has made a free Excel Viewer available to download.
How can I change font sizes?
You may change the font size of this document to your preference through your browser:
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In Internet Explorer, select View, then Text Size, and then your preferred size.
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In Netscape select View, then Text Zoom, and then your preferred percentage size.
If you wish to override the site’s font settings, you can import your own style sheet.
Standards compliance
Our pages conform at a minimum to Level A compliance as specified by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and endorsed by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB). The majority of Level AA and AAA requirements are also met.
All pages validate as XHTML 1.0 Transitional and use structured semantic markup.
Our site requires a number of different CSS techniques for cross browser compatibility which can cause validator problems. However, we have ensured that all techniques we use are not detrimental to site accessibility.
We strive to obey the spirit of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 with respect to the provision of services online, as required by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).
While we use sites such as Bobby to test for accessibility, it is just one aspect of our testing procedure. As a computer programme, the Bobby test is not as reliable as expert evaluation.
