Accessibility Statement - Knowledge Hub

This website is run by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website.

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 users may not be able to identify areas on the project details as the labels are not associated with the text areas. These scrollable text areas are also not accessible to keyboard-only users
• the multiple select dropdowns on the search/filter functionality are problematic for screenreaders
• datepickers do not receive focus, so keyboard users are only able to enter the date manually
• a new feedback window opens without pre-warning users
• the text of some headings and buttons could be made more descriptive

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

• Datepickers are not keyboard tabbable but a date can be entered manually (2.1.1 Keyboard)
• On initial choosing to view details of a project, a RateIt window is opened and receives focus without warning the user. This is considered a change of context (3.2.2 On Input)
• Multiple select dropdowns on the search/filter functionality are problematic for screenreaders. There is no label read out for these inputs, so a screenreader user would not hear what has been selected (3.3.2 Labels or Instructions)
• Various ARIA issues on Project details page (4.1.2: Name, Role, Value)
• Icon buttons for viewing project details have generic 'View' aria-label - purpose can be inferred by the row they are located in, but making this more explicit would be better (2.4.4 Link Purpose In Context)
• Size of 'View' icon button is just over minimum touch target size - consider increasing or add text alongside (2.5.8 Target Size Minimum)
• Text areas on project details page do not have associated labels (1.1.1 Non-text Content, 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions)
• Text area on project details page cannot be scrolled using keyboard alone (2.1.1 Keyboard)
• Heading of 'Project Details' page could be more descriptive of actual project chosen (2.4.6 Headings and Labels)

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 accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services. For example, we do not plan to fix [example of non-essential document].

Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.

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 21 May 2021. It was last reviewed on 14 June 2024.

This website was last tested on 14 June 2024 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.

We tested the following pages:

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).

We tested:

• Homepage
• Search & Search details
• Project details
• FAQs
• Contact us

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