Accessibility Statement - NIFAIS Online
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:
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- tab through forms and menus in a logical order
- view content in a meaningful order
- zoom in up to 200% without the text spilling off the screen
- 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:
- there are missing top level headings which may make it harder for some users to follow the structure of the page
- there is no link allowing keyboard users to bypass the main menu
- some links open in a new tab or window which may be confusing for some users
- on some pages where popup windows are used, elements in the parent window are still tabbable which may make it harder for keyboard users to navigate the content
- some icon buttons on Disease Compensation page do not have accessible text
- some dropdown elements automatically update information displayed elsewhere on the page - for some users, this may be unexpected
- a tab index has been added to various page elements, which may mean the same information is read out twice by screenreaders
- we are working to make the PDFs generated by this application more accessible.
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 version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Issues with technology
- A 'skip to main content' link should be present at the top of all pages to allow users to bypass the main menu (2.4.1: Bypass Blocks)
- Popup windows should trap focus, so that items in the parent window cannot be tabbed to (1.3.2: Meaningful Sequence)
- Add accessible or discernable text to icon buttons on Disease Compensation page (1.1.1: Non-text Content)
- Add aria-required="true" so screenreaders can identify mandatory fields (3.3.4: Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data))
- Where choosing a value from a select field may change the context elsewhere on the page, users should understand this either by being told or by accompanying the input field with a button to initiate the change. (However, a change of content isn't always a change of context, for instance progressively disclosing other fields based on selection of a value in a previous dropdown would be generally understood.)(3.2.2: On Input)
- There are some uses of aria-labels on 'em' elements which are not allowed without a role attribute.
- Avoid orphaned form labels (labels not associated with form elements) where possible.
- There are some non unique IDs, e.g. on some table header cells (4.1.1: Parsing)
- Avoid having hoverable table rows, where the hover doesn't have any purpose. Could be confusing.
- Ensure fieldsets have legends.
- Avoid using tables for layout purposes, where possible.
- Tabindex="0" has been added to page elements across much of the application - this is not best accessibility practice and actually introduces confusion/duplication for screenreading software (2.4.3: Focus Order)
Issues with text
- All pages should have an H1 heading, and follow a hierarchical structure where required (1.3.1: Info and Relationships)
- Where links open in a new tab (e.g. link to additional information or PDF) the user should be informed - add (opens in new tab) to the link (3.2.2: On Input)
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- There are issues with some PDFs generated by this service, including primary language; document title; tagged content; tab order: table - headers and regularity, appropriate nesting. We are working to improve these non-compliances.
Issues with images, video and audio
- No known issues
Issues with interactive tools and transactions
- Datepickers are used which are not fully accessible by keyboard tabbing, however dates can be entered manually.
How we tested this website
This website was last tested on 19 June 2023. The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.
We tested the pages listed below (which represent the general functionality and layout of the web application). 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).
- Homepage
- Notify birth
- Notify death
- Herd list
- Notify intention to move
- Movement documents info
- Buyer confirmation
- Raise DVO Query
- Test info - TB test
- Post/Ante mortem details
- Disease compensation
- View animal movements
- Tag information
- Nitrates stock count
- NIFAIS Services landing page
- Animal Details (PDF)
- My Animal Group List (PDF)
- My Animal Group List - Nitrates (PDF)
The accessibility evaluation report (HPRM ref) 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 'Development 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 carry out user research to ascertain user requirements and conduct usability workshopping before launching new applications.
This statement was prepared on 23 June 2023. It was last updated on 29 August 2023.