Accessibility Statement - Small Woodland Grant Scheme
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:
- Missing alternative text on images
- Some content reliant on colour
- Contrast errors
- Skipped heading level
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)(external link opens in a new window / tab), which is responsible for enforcing accessibility regulations.
You can contact them(external link opens in a new window / tab).
Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Clare House
303 Airport Road West
Belfast BT3 9ED
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
- Some instructions for understanding content are reliant on colour, shape and positioning for showing the user eligible fields.(1.3.3 Sensory characteristics)
- When viewing in portrait there is loss of content on the pop up messages. (1.3.4 orientation)
- Links rely on only colour to show they are a hyperlink, these should also be underlined for users who can't rely on colour.(1.4.1 use of colour)
- Contrast errors identified throughout the application including hyperlinks.(1.4.3 Contrast (minimum))
- Redundant link on the apply page, this results in additional navigation and repetition for keyboard and screenreader users.(2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context))
- Redundant alternative and title text identified throughout the application, this will be presented multiple times to screen readers or when images are unavailable.(4.1.2 Name, Role, Value)
- Pop ups are used to show status messages to users, these can be difficult to use for users who require a screen reader.( 4.1.3 Status messages)
- Zooming and scaling must not be disabled.
Issues with text
- Skipped heading level on the confirmation page.(2.4.6 Headings and labels)
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- No known issues
Issues with images, video and audio
- Missing alternative text on images, images must have alternative text to assist users who require a screen reader (1.1.1 Non-text content)
Issues with interactive tools and transactions
- No known issues
How we tested this website
This website was last tested on 24/01/2024. The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.
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).
We tested the following sample pages. The accessibility evaluation report (HPRM ref) can be made available on request.
- Application screen
- Welcome page
- Application
- Summary
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 recommend that teams conduct user research to ascertain user requirements before developing new applications.
This statement was prepared on 24 January 2024.