Opening Documents

This website provides documents and files in a number of different formats.  In some instances you may need additional software to view the files.  

Below are links to free downloads for software that can be used to open the different types of files on this site. (Note – the links are provided for your convenience only and are not an endorsement of products or software).

Adobe Printable Document Format (PDF) documents

The majority of the larger documents on this site are provided in PDF format.  PDF format is being used on this site as it preserves the original formatting and is compatible with a large range of different computers and browsers.  

To view or print PDF documents you will need to have the free Adobe Reader software installed.  If you need to install Adobe Reader software it can be downloaded from the Adobe website.

Screen Readers and Adobe Reader Software

If you use a screen reader and it is not compatible with the free Adobe Reader software, Adobe provide free online conversion tools, that can be used to change PDF files to a format which is more accessible from your screen reader software.  Simply visit the Adobe website.

Microsoft Excel (.XLS)

A number of documents, particularly those providing statistical information, are provided for your convenience as Microsoft Excel documents.  If you do not already have Microsoft Excel installed, a free viewer is available from the Microsoft website.

Microsoft Word (.DOC)

A number of documents, particularly some of the older documents, are provided in Microsoft Word format.  If you do not already have Microsoft Word installed, a free viewer is available from the Microsoft website.

Free Word viewers for other operating systems can be found by visiting http://www.winfield.demon.nl/.