There are lots of changes you can make to your computer to make browsing the internet a better experience. If you want to alter the way you see, hear or use a website, you can change options in your internet browser.
The BBC and AbilityNet have developed a website called My Web My Way. It has comprehensive and up-to-date information on changing your browser settings for Windows, Mac and Linux users.
More information on computer accessibility options can be found at:
All of these suggestions to improve the accessibility of web pages will apply to every site you visit. Please note that they will not affect images on the screen.
Setting up your browser
Internet Explorer 7 and Greater
Firefox
Select the Tools menu and Internet Options
On the General tab, select Accessibility
Click the three boxes to show ticks.
Select the Tools menu then Options
On the content tab, under Fonts and Colours, select Advanced
Uncheck ‘Allow pages to choose their own fonts…
Select OK and OK again
Changing the font
Internet Explorer 7 and Greater
Firefox
Select the Tools menu and Internet Options
On the General tab, click Fonts
Under Webpage font, select the
font you would like to use.
Select the Tools menu then Options
On the content tab, under Fonts and Colours, select Advanced
On the content tab, under Fonts and Colours, select your chosen font.
* Select OK
Displaying text larger or smaller
Internet Explorer 7 and Greater
Firefox
Select the View drop down menu and down to text Size
From the list select your preferred size of text.
Select the View drop down menu and then Zoom.
Make sure Zoom text only is unchecked and select the level of Zoom you prefer.
Increase the overall size of the page
Internet Explorer 7 and Greater
Firefox
In the bottom right hand corner of the browser window, select the magnifying Glass icon until the page size is at your preferred size.
Select the View drop down menu and then Zoom.
Make sure Zoom text only is unchecked and select the level of Zoom you prefer.
Changing text and background colour
Internet Explorer 7 and Greater
Firefox
Select the Tools menu and Internet Options
On the General tab, select Colours
Uncheck the tick box labelled Use
On each of the options you wish to change, select the title and your chosen colour
Once you have finished, select OK.
Select the Tools menu then Options
On the content tab, under Fonts and Colours, select Colours.
Select OK.
To close images on web pages
Internet Explorer 7 and Greater
Firefox
Select the Tools menu and Internet Options
On the Advanced tab, scroll down to Multimedia
* Uncheck the tick on Show pictures
Select Apply, and then OK.
Select the Tools menu then Options
On the content tab, uncheck the ‘Load images automatically’ option.
