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This page contains information and tips to help you use and navigate this site.
Select your topic of interest from the Table of Contents below.
Table of Contents
Skip Navigation
Display Settings
Text Size
Screen Size
Side Bar Position
Color Combination
Saving and Restoring Preferences
Site Map
Search Engine
Breadcrumbs
Back To Top
Printer Friendly Version
Color Shading
Load Times
Skip Navigation
Skip navigation is used by individuals who access web page information using a screen reader, and for individuals who, for dexterity reasons, use the keyboard rather then the mouse for website navigational purposes. When the Skip Navigation link is selected, the viewer will jump over information that is repeated on every page, such as navigation bars, and will be positioned at the text/content section of the web page. The Skip Navigation Bar is located as the first link on every page of the IndependenceDisplay Settings
The display settings page allows the viewer to customize the look of our web site to accommodate for disability related issues as well as individual style and preferences.Text Size
Five options for text size are available to choose from. Larger text sizes are often preferred for individuals who may have low vision, learning disabilities, and many other neurological conditions. Larger font sizes are additionally beneficial for individuals who have lower level literacy skills.Note: View Settings
If the font size is still too small after changing the font size on the Display Settings page to the largest text size, go to the web browsers view menu, then select text size from the menu options. Select larger or largest to view and print the page in a large print text.
Screen Size
How much of the page able to be viewed is dependent on the screen resolution that is chosen for the particular session. This can be changed by right clicking anywhere on the desktop and then clicking once on properties and then clicking the setting tab. The higher the resolution, the smaller icons become but more of the web page is visible at once. The higher the color quality results in the same scenario.Side Bar Position
Some disabilities cause limitations to the peripheral field, making side menus sometimes difficult to locate and access. The Side Bar Position option allows the viewer the option to change the location of the side/secondary navigation menu to fit his/her individual needs.Color Combination
High contrastHigh contrast color scheme typically will utilize the black or dark colored background and a vibrant text color to create a high contrast color combination. For many viewers with visual impairments, a high contrast color scheme may be easier to view
| High Contrast White text on a Black background |
| High Contrast Black text on White background |
| High Contrast Green text on a Black background |
| High Contrast Yellow text on a Black background |
| High Contrast Yellow text on a dark Blue background |
Low glare
Low glare color options create contrast, decrease eyestrain, and increase readability for some types of learning, neurological and vision disabilities.
|
Low Glare Black text on Light yellow Background |
| Low Glare Black text on Light Gray Background |
| Low Glare Dark Blue text on a Light Blue Background |
Saving and Restoring Preferences
To save your preferences, click on Save Preferences Button. This will enable you to save the preferences so that you will not have to do so each time you visit the IndependenceFirst web site.Note: Having problems with keeping your Display Preferences
When saving preferences, a cookie is created on your computer. If your Internet Options are set so that they restrict the addition of cookies to you computer, you may be unable to save your preferences. Spyware programs, in addition, are often used to find and eliminate unauthorized cookies on your computer. When using spyware, be aware that you may inadvertently eliminate your preferences cookie and may have to reset your user preferences on the Independence
Note: Netscape and Internet Explorer accessibility settings
Sometimes the settings listed above may be affecting your selected preferences, when the accessibility settings are set to ignore colors and text styles/sizes. The accessibility features will overwrite the IndependenceFirst Display Settings. To use our display settings, you would need to first disable your accessibility settings.
Site Map
The site map is a master list or index of all of available web pages on the IndependenceFirst web site. The site index allows the viewer to easily locate and access information. To access information from the Site Map, select the web page link you would like to view.Suggestion: For quick access to all areas of the IndependenceFirst site, add the site map to your Favorites or Bookmarks.
Search Engine
If you are unable to locate information or would like to quickly search our site, you may also utilize our search engine, which is located in the main navigation menu on the right hand side of the web page. Type the text you would like to look for in the text box, and then select the search button.Once on the page or on one of our many lists, we suggest also using the browsers find tool. Most often the find tool is located in the browsers Edit Menu or can be accessed by pressing the Control key and the letter F at the same time. Once in the Find Dialog box, type the text you would like to look for in the text box, and then select the Find Next button.
Breadcrumbs
Breadcrumbs create a visual path of previously visited locations on the web site. The function of the breadcrumbs is to allow the viewer to understand how they got to the current page. The location of the breadcrumb navigational path is located in the upper left corner of web page directly below the main navigational toolbar.Home> Services>Core Services> Independent Living Skills Training
The breadcrumb path also allows the viewer to jump back to previously viewed pages. In the example above, selecting the Home link will return the viewer to the Independence
Back To Top
Located at the bottom of text sections in the lower right hand corner of the text area is the back to top link. This link will return the viewer to the top of the web page.On long lists that have been divided by category the ^Back To Top link follows each category section.Printer Friendly Version
Utilize the printer friendly pages when you would like to print information. The printer friendly version will strip away all of the menus and provide you with a clear clean copy.Note: If you would like to print the Information in a larger font size, go back to the Display Settings page and switch to the largest text size options, then save the new preference setting. Then go back to the information you would like to print. If the font size on the printer friendly page is still not large enough, go to the view menu, then select text size from the menu options. Select larger or largest to view and print the page in a large print text.
Color Shading
On sites that are very large and comprehensive, it is sometimes difficult to remember what pages you have already visited. For individuals who have disabilities that affect cognitive and memory functions this may be additionally difficult. The purpose for the color shading is to better assist the viewer in identifying previously viewed pages on the site.The main navigational tool bar is shaded in dark blue. At the top of the page, gold shaded text identifies the program or service area the page currently being viewed is located in.
Color shading in the side menus identifies previously visited web site pages.
Files and Load Time
Due to the comprehensive nature of some of the Resource Center Lists the pages may take longer periods of time to load. If you have difficulty accessing one of the Resource Center Lists, they may also be requested through e-mail, contact webmaster@independencefirst.orgNote: Also, for the viewer who is blind or low vision and uses screen readers, another option to quicken page loads would be to go to tools and internet options in the top tool bar. Then click on the advanced tab and scroll down to Multimedia section. Look for item called show pictures and uncheck that check box.This will stop images from displaying and thus reduce page load times.