Accessibility statement
London Gifted & Talented is committed to delivering websites that are usable and inclusive. Content on our websites should be usable by all browsers and all users regardless of ability. If you have any suggestions or comments, please email info@londongt.org.
The e-TASC website is a complex application of Flash technology to functions that could not be achieved without Flash. Therefore, there are some intrinsic limits to its accessibility.
Who can use this website
To access the full functionality of the website, users require:
- Flash 8 Player or higher - download Flash Player for free.
Who can't use this website
Some alternatives are included in parts of the e-TASC website to cover issues such as resizing, accommodation of screen reading technology and other accessibility extensions to browsers and operating systems. However, the website cannot be used effectively by:
- people who rely on keyboard only operation (unless they have keyboard control of the mouse cursor)
- people who rely entirely on screen readers (the main e-TASC interface doesn't support screen readers, or provide an inbuilt alternative)
- people who are both unable to read small text, and do not have a zoom function (such as in Internet Explorer 7) in their browser.
Offline alternative to the main e-TASC interface
Although e-TASC by its very nature relies on the interconnectivity between users and an online database, it is possible to use the TASC method offline. A guide to using TASC in the classroom without an internet connection is avalible as a downloadable guide.
How to adjust your operating system for accessibility (links)
Here are links to guidelines about making your operating system more accessible, which can be used to also make e-TASC more accessible:
Other accessibility issues
See the Summary chart of accessibility issues below.
Synchronised captions for audio content
There are synchronised captions for the audio content in the Quick guides section.
Audio content may appear in the main e-TASC interface but this is uploaded by the user and it is therefore not possible to provide captions for it.
Keyboard Accessible
The All about e-TASC pages are like HTML pages, and any browser that supports the use of the keyboard in preference to a mouse can access these pages.
Some web browsers offer an alternative way to follow navigation links by using keyboard access keys. To use an access key, hold down the 'Alt' key and press the appropriate letter. Then press 'Return/Enter' to go to the desired page.
The following access keys are available throughout e-TASC:
- S
- Skip to navigation
- 1
- Home
- E
- Start Using e-TASC
- U
- All about e-TASC
- I
- Quick guides
- O
- Teaching and learning
- F
- Independent learning
- G
- TASC
- H
- How to use e-TASC
- J
- Example e-TASC lessons
- K
- Manage students and classes
- L
- Downloads
- 0
- Accessibility
- 3
- Sitemap
- 8
- Privacy
- T
- Technical requirements
- Y
- Acknowledgements
- Q
- London Gifted & Talented homepage
The Quick Start movies and the main e-TASC interface allow a keyboard to be used in preference to a mouse provided the operating system and browser allow the user to move the mouse cursor with the number keys.
Avoids dependence on fine motor skills
Generally, the e-TASC resource relies on placing many items precisely in different locations on screen. Therefore it is harder to operate without use of fine motor skills. However, if using a keyboard alternative to the mouse (e.g. number keys nudging the mouse cursor) it is possible to exert more precise control over the interface without needing the fine motor skills to precisely control a mouse.
User control of time-sensitive content
The Quick Start movies in the Quick guides section are time-sensitive, in as much as they proceed through a number of stages. However, it is possible for the user to control which chapter plays with a bar at the top, allowing them to move back to the beginning of a chapter or on to another chapter.
A pause function is also available (see illustration).
The e-TASC interface and the information area do not have any time-dependent components.
High-contrast version
The information area and the e-TASC interface are both created in high contrast to ensure maximum accessibility.
There is also an alternative 'skin' for the e-TASC interface (selectable via the 'My Account' button) that offers a differing high contrast look.
Resizeable
The e-TASC interface is resizable only in relation to the work area, which can be resized with the zoom tool. However, for those using browsers with their own zoom tools, resizing is possible.
The information area follows the conventions of HTML and may be resized using the browser's text size controls.
It is not possible to resize the quick start movies. However, a version of the same content is available via the information area.
Screen reader or alternative audio content
The Quick guide movies offer alternative audio content, however a version of the same content is available from the relevant pages in the information area.
The information area follows the conventions of HTML and is accessible to screen readers.
The main e-TASC interface is not accessible to screen readers and does not offer alternative audio content however there is an offline alternative to the main e-TASC interface.
Textual equivalent
Although it is not possible to offer a textual equivalent to the e-TASC interface, there is a guide to using TASC in the classroom without an internet connection.
Sticky keys, key delays and repeat control enabled
All these features can work normally with e-TASC.
Summary chart of accessibility issues
| Accessibility issue | e-TASC interface (Flash) | Information area (HTML) | Quick Start Movies (Flash) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronised captions for audio content | no | n/a | yes |
| Keyboard accessible | yes (OS) | yes (OS) | yes (OS) |
| Avoids dependence on fine motor skills | no | yes | no |
| User control of time-sensitive content | yes | yes | yes |
| High-contrast version | no | yes | no |
| Resizeable | partially | yes (per browser) | no |
| Screen reader or alternative audio content | no | yes (per browser) | yes |
| Textual equivalent | no | yes | yes |
| Sticky keys, key delays, repeat control etc. enabled | yes (per OS) | yes (per OS) | yes (per OS) |
| Adjustable font size | partially | yes (per browser) | no, but alternative available |
Accessibility standards
This website is built using code compliant with W3C standards for XHTML and Cascading Style Sheets. The site displays correctly with current browsers, and using standard XHTML code means that any future browsers will also display this website correctly.
These pages conform to level AA of the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.
