Accessibility Statement - Noise Map Viewer
This statement applies to Noise Map Viewer.
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
- 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:
- it's not possible to tab through the menu using a keyboard alone
- some users may find it hard to read active buttons due to contrast issues
- mobile users or users who increase text size to 200% may notice panels with 'no title and no description', and undefined links
- as all pages are titled 'Noise Map Viewer', users may find it harder to distinguish between pages
- some links to external web pages and maps open in new tabs or windows without alerting the user beforehand
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 the Air & Environmental Quality Unit
- email aeqteam@daera-ni.gov.uk
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 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.
The application has a large mapping element - these cannot be made fully accessible. Gov.uk advises that maps do not need to be fixed but that essential information should be available in an accessible format.
Issues with technology
- It is not possible to tab through the menu using a keyboard alone (1.3.2: Meaningful Sequence, 2.1.1: Keyboard)
- Active menu buttons have a turquoise colour background which fails contrast ratio (1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum))
- Some unallowed ARIA uses, and duplicate main landmark (4.1.2: Name, Role, Value)
- Where iFrames are used, they should have accessible name (1.1.1: Non-text Content)
Issues with text
- When text is resized to 200% or above, much of the content of pages is hidden. Panels are replaced with basic 'no title, no description' and links which open in a new tab. These have no context for what the user will be shown. Same issue on mobile devices (1.4.4: Resize text, 1.4.10: Reflow, 2.4.6: Headings and Labels)
- All pages are similarly titled 'Noise Map Viewer' so the user would be unable to tell which page they are on until the H1 heading is read out (2.4.2: Page Titled)
- On mobile devices, the purpose of links opening maps would not be clear as they are just the URL with no title and no description (2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context))
- There are some links to external websites, and links to display maps in new tabs. These do not alert the user that they are opening in a new tab/window and are considered a change of context (3.2.2: On Input)
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- No PDFs associated with this application.
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 13 August 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 Accessibility Evaluation Tool). The pages also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). NVDA screenreading software was also used for testing.
We tested:
- Homepage
- Noise Maps
- Airport Major - Belfast International Airport
- Industry
What we're doing to improve accessibility
The Department is actively engaged in improving the accessibility of its applications. As part of our 'User Experience 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 13 August 2024. It was last updated on 13 August 2024.