Accessibility Statement - Licence, permits enforcement (LPE)

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:

• no heading structure provided within the DAERA endorsement page
• increasing text to 200% causes loss of content
• page titles remain the same throughout the application meaning they're not descriptive of each page
• orphaned form labels identified 

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

• Select missing label – Ensure that the default option of the select menu presents the purpose of the select menu. If visible label text is present, it is best to associate this text to the select menu. (2.4.6)
• Orphaned form label - Properly associate the label with its corresponding form control. (2.4.6)
• No heading structure provided within the DAERA endorsement page. (2.4.6)
• The user is able to put in more characters than should be accepted within the contact number input. (3.3.1)
• Elements must only use permitted ARIA attributes – aria-label attribute cannot be used on a span with no valid role attribute. (4.1.2)
• Form elements should have a visible label. (2.4.6)
• Landmarks should have a unique role or role/label/title (i.e accessible name) combination. (4.1.2)
• Changing orientation of the screen causes loss of content. (1.3.4)
• Increasing text to 200% causes loss of content. (1.4.4)
• Page title remains the same throughout the process, it does not specifically describe the purpose of each page. (2.4.2)
• When entering user details for licence/permit and entering date of birth can cause a change of content on input. If a user enters a certain year it causes additional input fields to appear. Consider (3.2.2)
• It may be useful to add a 'Home' button to the top navigation, users may not be aware that clicking 'nidirect' takes them to the homepage and may struggle with the navigation. (3.2.3)

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

• No known issues

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 26 September 2022. It was last reviewed on 15 October 2025.

This website was last tested on 15 October 2025 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.

We tested the following pages:

• Home page
• Licence/permit selection
• Personal details
• Contact details
• Address lookup
• Review
• Choosing licence
• Choosing permit
• Basket
• Checkout
• Payment details

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.