Accessibility Statement - DAERA Customer Portal
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:
- zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- view content in a meaningful order
- 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 are not fully accessible:
- There is no means of adjusting or extending the length of the session, so some users may need to sign in again.
- Sign-in methods require users to remember a password - use of a password manager to store the password does not currently appear to be supported.
However, as part of the sign-in process and feedback form, the user is directed to pages which sit outside of the scope of DAERA Customer Portal. We intend to encourage the owners of these associated services to address these non-compliances as part of their accessibility backlog.
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, contact the DAERA customer helpline on 0300 200 7852 or email daera.helpline@daera-ni.gov.uk.
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 Affairs
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Ballymiscaw
Belfast BT4 3SB
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 (WCAG) version 2.2 AA standard.
Issues with technology
- The length of the session cannot be adjusted or extended (Timing Adjustable 2.2.1)
- Some users may have difficulty remembering their password to access Customer Portal (3.3.8: Accessible Authentication (Minimum)). Addressing authentication methods may be out of scope of this application.
Issues with text
- No known issues.
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- There are no PDFs or other documents associated directly with Customer Portal.
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 07/05/2024. The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.
We tested the sample pages listed below. The pages were tested for code compliance using the Axe and WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) Chrome extensions and NVDA screen reader. The pages also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust), and for colour contrast and use on mobile devices
- Service Page (landing page)
- Homepage
- Messages (and Message details)
- Organisations (and Organisation details)
- Members
- Services
The accessibility evaluation report can be made available on request.
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 (accessibility-by-design). In those circumstances where compliance cannot be met, reasons for this should be documented, along with steps for addressing issues. We also carry out user research to ascertain user requirements and conduct usability workshopping before launching new applications.
This statement was prepared on 10 November 2022. It was last updated on 07 May 2024.