Accessibility Statement - ASSI Permissions
This statement relates to the ASSI Permissions service.
This application 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:
For example, that means you should be able to:
- zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
- clearly understand the content and instructions of the website.
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 form fields do not have labels associated with them, which may make it hard for some users to identify them
- there are missing or skipped heading levels which may make it more difficult for some users to understand the page structure
- there is low contrast on some buttons, process steps and on the asterisks used to identify required fields
- there are missing landmarks which help screenreader users identify different regions of the page
- when resizing text or viewing on a mobile device, some content is cut off, especially tabular content
- some links open in a new tab or window, but the user is not alerted to this
- there is no success status message to indicate when a document is uploaded
What to do if you can't access parts of this website
If you need further information or assistance in using parts of this website, you can contact a DAERA Direct Regional Office.
- email DAERA Direct Regional Offices
- call 0300 200 7840
A DAERA member of staff will be able to help you with your request.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that aren't listed on this page or think we're not meeting the requirements of the accessibility regulations, please contact DAERA Digital Services Division (DSD).
If you are unhappy with the quality of service received, in the first instance, you can make a complaint to DAERA.
Enforcement procedure
If you remain dissatisfied with the Department's final response to your complaint, you can refer your case to the Equalities Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI), which is responsible for enforcing accessibility regulations. You can contact them.
Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural AffairsClare House
303 Airport Road West
Belfast BT3 9ED
DAERA Headquarters map location
Call DAERA customer helpline on 0300 200 7852 or email daera.helpline@daera-ni.gov.uk.
If you have a hearing difficulty you can contact the Department 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.
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.
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Issues with technology
- ARIA landmarks should be used to identify regions of the page. There are no 'main' landmarks, and page content is not contained within landmarks (1.3.1: Info and Relationships, 4.1.2: Name, Role, Value)
- Some loss of content and functionality on tabular information. Tables are generally exempt from this criterion however given that button functionality may be lost from page in this instance, it should probably be corrected (1.4.10 Reflow)
- When select ASSI names, some functionality appears to automatically select items and move them into the opposite text area without use of the 'add' button - only happens intermittently (3.2.2: On Input)
- Inline error messages are described in text to the user. Would be preferable to use both an error summary at top of page and inline errors (3.3.1 Error Identification)
- No success status message when document is uploaded. No ‘role=alert’ (4.1.3: Status Messages)
Issues with text
- There are missing or unassociated labels/fieldset legends throughout the application (1.1.1: Non-text Content, 3.3.2: Labels or Instructions)
- Missing H1 headings thoughout, skipped heading levels (1.3.1: Info and Relationships)
- 'Indicates required field' should be basic body text, not an H4 (1.3.1: Info and Relationships)
- Multiple contrast failures on; blue or green buttons; grey add or remove arrow buttons; process steps (blue background); blue asterisk for required fields (1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum))
- Text can be resized to 200% but there is some loss of content on left hand side, and tables are truncated on right hand side of page (1.4.4 Resize Text)
- Purpose of links are generally obvious from link context, however it is recommended that 'friendly links' are used in place of the full URLs on guidance pages (2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context))
- Links which open in a new window/tab should be labelled '(opens in new tab)' to alert the user beforehand, as this is considered a change of context (3.2.2: On Input)
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- No known issues.
Issues with images, video and audio
- No known issues.
Issues with interactive tools and transactions
- No known issues
How we tested this website
This website was last tested on 12 September 2024. The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.
We chose to sample those pages which were most commonly used, and most representative of the general functionality and layout of the web application. The sample pages were tested for code compliance using the Axe testing tool and WAVE (Web Accessiblity Evaluation Tool). The pages also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). We also tested using NVDA screenreader, and Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker (where applicable).
We tested:
- Homepage
- Non Public Guidance
- Application Type
- Applicant List
- Works Details/Works Details 2
- Documents
- Summary
- Complete Application
What we're doing to improve accessibility
The Department 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.
This statement was prepared on 13 September 2024. It was last updated on 13 September 2024.