Accessibility

It is possible to adjust text size in your browser to make it easier to read web pages. To do this, click anywhere on a webpage with your mouse. If you are using a PC, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and, at the same time, press the + or – key to increase, or decrease the size of the text. If you are using a Mac, hold down the Command key and, at the same time press the + or – key to increase, or decrease the size. With an iPad, double-tap or pinch to adjust the zoom.

If you want to return to the default font size the web page was designed to be viewed at, hold down the Ctrl or Command key and press the 0 (zero) key.

How can I hear the text on page read out to me?

If you prefer to listen to website pages or long documents, you can use a text-to-speech tool to hear the text read aloud to you. There are a number of options to do this easily.

If you use a mobile, a tablet, or a Chromebook, you can use the voice assistants and in-built text-to-speech tool to hear the text.

You can use the accessibility features on your Mac or Windows Narrator.

Otherwise, you can install a text-to-speech extension in your browser. Once installed, they are available at the click of a button.

The Edge browser and Microsoft office products include a Read Aloud functionality. In Edge, you can access the Enter Immersive Reader in the address bar or use the keyboard shortcut F9. Once in the Immersive Reader view, you can select text and select the Read Aloud option.

In Chrome you will need to install a text-to-speech extension like Read Aloud or Natural Reader. Similar text-to-speech add-ons are also available for Firefox.

How can I write text with my voice?

If you prefer dictating to typing, you can use:

• Windows Voice Typing
• Dictation on Mac or iPad
• Dictate in Word

Alternatively, you can use immersive readers to listen to text.

How can I remove distractions with immersive reader?

Many apps and browsers now offer an ‘immersive reader’ (Microsoft Edge, Word, etc.) or clutter-free ‘Reader view’ option (Firefox, Safari). This makes text easier to read by providing options for the user to customise text size, font, background colour, layout, and by removing secondary content which can be distracting (ads, menus, buttons, background images, etc.).

This can speed up your reading and improve your focus by helping you access content in a format that suits your needs and preferences, and may be particularly helpful for users with dyslexia.

For more in-depth help on adjusting your computer or web browser to make studying easier, you may wish to explore the advice on the My Computer My Way site from AbilityNet. The site has detailed information on setting up your computer or tablet device to make it easier to use. This site includes information on how to adjust your keyboard and mouse, operating system (e.g. Windows), web browser, and popular software applications to meet your needs.

You can also find information about accessibility settings for your specific systems from:

• Apple Accessibility – Apple’s guidance on accessibility.
• Microsoft’s Ease of Access Center – Microsoft’s guidance on how to use the accessibility functions available in Windows.
• Adobe Accessibility – Adobe’s guidance on accessibility for their products.
• Google Accessibility – Google’s guidance on accessibility for their products.

Do contact us if you have any other suggestions.

The Department is committed to offering advice and support to any student who has a disability. For further information about the help and support available please visit the Department’s Support for students with disabilities page.

When sharing about your disability, please ensure you describe the support you require to help you study rather than just stating your disability as this will enable us to better understand how we can help you.