There are ways to navigate around a web site without the need for a mouse. This web site allows for a number of these techniques to be used.
This web site provides access keys to provide quick access to important parts of the site. It also provides a site map which can be used to navigate to any part of the web site from just one page.
Below you will find details on these alternative navigation methods. Most of which are browser independent.
Descriptions are given for Internet Explorer (5, 6, 7), Netscape and Firefox (1.5 and earlier, 2, 3). Use the accessibility feature icon links left to jump straight to its description.
Navigation Using the Tab Key
Internet Explorer (5, 6, 7), Firefox (1.5 and earlier, 2, 3) and Netscape
It is possible to navigate around the links on this web site using the Tab key.
Pressing the Tab key will highlight link on the web site in a logical sequence. However the browser uses the Tab key in order to provide navigation through address bar so press tab until a link on the web site is highlighted.
You should be able to tab through all the links on the web site in a logical sequence. When you are on the link that you want to visit press Enter. Tab + Shift tabs through the links in the reverse direction.
The Tab order is as follows:
- The first Tab is a hidden Skip to Content link that will jump you to the main content. This link is only visible when the CSS has been switched off.
- Second tab is a link to the NIHR.
- The following Tabs take you through the Section Menu.
- After the Section Menu pressing Tab takes you through the Accessibility Links.
- After the Accessibility links the Tab key takes you through the Breadcrumb links.
- After the Breadcrumb Tab takes you through the right had column of content.
- Tab then takes you through the Page links.
- Finally Tab will take you through the main content links.
The Arrow keys and Spacebar can be used to scroll around the page.
Access Keys
Internet Explorer (5, 6, 7), Firefox (1.5 and earlier, 2, 3) and Netscape
We have defined a number of Access Keys for this web site. Access Keys allow you to go to important links quickly via pressing Alt (Ctrl for Mac) + Number Key in Windows Explorer and Shift + Alt + Number Key in Firefox. You may also need to press Enter. The Access Keys defined for this web site are as follows:
Alt + 1 – Jump to main content.
Alt + 2 – Link to site home page.
Alt + 3 – Link to Accessibility Section.
Alt + 4 – Jump to the Breadcrumb.
Alt + 5 – Link to Sitemap.
Alt + 6 – Jump to Section Links.
Alt + 7 – Jump to Page Links.
Alt + 8 – Jump to Search Box.
Alt + 9 – Jump to top of page.
Alt + 0 – Link to Website Help.
Sitemaps and Breadcrumbs
All Browsers
Site Maps provide an alternative navigation system for moving between sections and pages of a website. A Site Map provides, on one web page, links which access every section of a website.
On the Site Map page of this web site, you will see the titles for each section of this site and under each section you will see the related pages. Clicking or using alternative means of navigation such as the Tab Key on any of these titles will take you to the relevant section or page.
Breadcrumbs provide you with yet an another accessible way to navigate through a website. They also provide you with information about the web page that you are currently on.
On this web site a breadcrumb is provided below the section menu. This breadcrumb displays a series of links which change depending on the page that you are on. The breadcrumb always starts with the Home link, allowing you to go straight back to the Home Page of the website from any web page. Links after the > symbol and before the : symbol provide access to the current section front page. The text after the : symbol provide the title of the current page that you are on.
The breadcrumb provides you with a linear way to progress through the site sections and allows you to always see which section and page you are on.