Accessibility

The National Institutes of Health is making every effort to ensure that the information available on our website is accessible to all users, compliant with Section 508 standards, and compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies. However, this is an ongoing process and it is possible that some users with disabilities may encounter problems accessing some pages. If you use special adaptive equipment to access the Web and encounter problems when using our site, please contact us online or email us at EnterpriseArchitecture@mail.nih.gov.

To learn more about the regulations governing the accessibility of Federal electronic information products, visit the Section 508 page at http://www.section508.gov/.

The NIH Enterprise Architecture website is designed so that you can view it using text style, color and size that you prefer. You may also use the background color that works best for you. To take advantage of these options, you may need to adjust the settings on your browser (software that you use to view websites, e.g. Internet Explorer).

Changing Text Size

The two most widely used browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.  Use the following steps to change the text size for each of these browsers.

In Internet Explorer (5.0 and above):

• From under Tools on the main toolbar, choose Internet Options
• Under the General tab, choose the Accessibility button
• Choose Ok

For further adjustments can be made to the text size by choosing View on the main toolbar, then Text Size.  Choose a relative text size (smallest to largest).

In Netscape Navigator:

• From Edit on the main toolbar, choose Preferences
• From the left tree menu, choose Appearance, then Fonts
• Check the radio button in front of "Use my default fonts, overriding document-specific fonts"
• Choose Ok

Further adjustments can be made to the text size by choosing View on the main toolbar, then selecting Increase Font or Decrease Font.

Making Other Browser Adjustments

You can specify the text style and color as well as the background color you prefer when using Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.  To learn more about how you can make other adjustments, check the Help index of your web browser.  (In Internet Explorer, see under the term Accessibility.  In Netscape, see under the term preferences, Navigator.)

Using AOL Browser

The NIH Enterprise Architecture website works best when you use full-featured browsers such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.  If you use AOL, please follow these steps:

• Sign on to your AOL account
• While you are still signed on, minimize your AOL browser window
• Open Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer
• Type or paste the URL (http://enterprisearchiteture.nih.gov) into the browser's address field

Updating you Browser

Certain Web pages are best viewed by using recent versions of Internet browsers.  If you are using an older browser version, you may have trouble viewing certain Web pages.

You can find out what version of your browser you are using by choosing "Help" at the top of your browser and "About (your browser name)"

Internet Explorer:  You can download a more recent version for free at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/.

Netscape Communicator:  You can download a more recent version for free at http://home.netscape.com/computing/download.

PDF Files

Portable Document Format (PDF) files preserve all the fonts formatting, graphics, and color of a printed document once it is placed on a website.  Several documents on the NIH Enterprise Architecture website are provided in PDF format.  Most online journals and books are provided on PDF format.  PDF files require the free Adobe® Reader® software for viewing.  If you have a visual impairment, please visit http://access.adobe.com for help in working more effectively with PDF files.

Other Resources

Alternative Web Browsing http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/Browsing
Web Accessibility Initiative
Discusses whole range of approaches used for browsing by people with visual impairments or reading difficulties.

Guidelines for Web Users with Low Vision
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=57&TopicID=167
American Foundation for the Blind offers details instruction for making adjustments to Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Understanding Adobe Acrobat Reader
http://www.cyberseniors.org/artman/publish/cat_index_16.shtml
CyberSeniors.org
Provides an illustrated guide to downloading the Adobe Acrobat Reader ad using PDF files.

Understanding Web Browsers: Font Sizes
http://www.cyberseniors.org/artman/publish/cat_index_17.shtml
CyberSeniors.org
Provides an illustrated guide to making adjustments to Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and AOL for both PC and Mac users.