Accessibility Statement - Bathing Water Quality Dashboard

We want as many people as possible to be able to use this service. For example, that means you should be able to:

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings
• zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website aren't fully accessible:

• some image icons do not have alternate text to identify them to screenreading software
• some users may find it difficult to tab down the list of bathing water locations in the side panel
• when text is resized, the bottom panel which displays location information cannot be scrolled and content is obscured
• line graphs may be difficult for some users to see due to low contrast (yellow against white background)
• mobile users may have difficulty viewing the dashboard, particularly in portrait orientation
• some scrollable regions cannot be accessed using a keyboard alone
• links to PDFs open in new tabs, but the user is not alerted beforehand

Feedback and contact information

If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact the DAERA Helpline who will direct you towards the correct branch or division.

• email daera.helpline@daera-ni.gov.uk
• call 0300 200 7852

You can also contact the DAERA Helpline if you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.

If you have a hearing difficulty you can contact DAERA via Text Relay using the Next Generation Text Service (NGTS). Making a call from a textphone dial 18001 + number. Making a call from a telephone dial 18002 + number.

There are also various Text to Speech applications available to use

If you cannot view the map on our contact us page, call or email us for directions.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

DAERA is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

The website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

• Images of water quality icons are missing alternate text x 20 (1.1.1 Non-Text Content, 1.4.5 Images of Text)
• Ensure elements with an ARIA role that require child roles contain them – side panel and bottom table: Element has children which are not allowed: div[tabindex] (1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value)
• Attributes table header: Required ARIA parents role not present: grid, table, treegrid (1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value)
• It’s not straightforward to tab to individual locations, as the tab skips over the panels. Perhaps consider adding a link to the location title so it’s included in the meaningful sequence. (1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence, 2.1.1 Keyboard, 2.4.3 Focus Order)
• Consider a different colour for the line graph as the yellow against white fails non-text contrast of 3:1 (or add a dark border around the colour) (1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics, 1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast)
• Text can be increased to 200% and above, however, the content of the bottom panel is almost completely obscured from view or there is insufficient space for it to be readable.(1.4.4 Resize Text)
• The dashboard would not be usable in portrait orientation as it is currently seen. The dashboard would be partially usable in landscape orientation as it is currently seen, however the bottom panel does not have sufficient screen space to be readable – content is obscured.(1.4.10 Reflow)
• Scrollable regions must have keyboard access – applies to the Monitoring Points key and attributes table (2.1.1 Keyboard)
• ‘Click here’ is considered ambiguous text and should be avoided – just put the link on the relevant text (e.g. Weekly Results Poster (PDF), Bathing Water Profile (PDF)) (2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context))
• 'Click here' links open PDF documents in new windows. The link should be added to the relevant text instead, and (opens in new tab) should be included in the link to warn users of this change in context if they choose to click the link. Or a notice above the list should alert users that PDFs open in a new tab.(3.2.2 On Input)

Disproportionate burden

• Not applicable

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

This application uses mapping functionality and imagery extensively. Maps are one of the items which are excepted from the accessibility legislation, provided essential information is provided in other ways. However, we will attempt to make the functionality of map viewers as accessible as possible within these limitations.

PDFs and other documents

The tested PDF (Carnlough Bathing Water Profile) fails the Adobe Accessibility Checker on the following points:

• Title - failed
• Character encoding - failed (may be a font issue)
• Figures alternate text - failed (missing alt text on one image)

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

DAERA is actively engaged in improving the accessibility of its applications. As part of our 'UX Checklist', we require developers to design software with accessibility compliance built in. In those circumstances where compliance cannot be met, reasons for this should be documented, along with steps for addressing issues. We also endeavour to carry out user research to ascertain user requirements and conduct usability workshopping before launching new applications.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 23 June 2025. It was last reviewed on 23 June 2025.

This website was last tested on 23 June 2025 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.

We tested the following pages:

• Bathing Water Quality Dashboard application
• Carnlough - Bathing Water Profile (PDF)

We chose to test those pages which were most commonly used, and most representative of the general functionality and layout of the web application. Sample pages were tested for code compliance using the Axe and WAVE testing tools. The pages also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). We also test using NVDA screenreader, and Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker (where applicable).

The full accessibility test report can be made available on request.