Accessibility Statement - DAERA GEOPIC
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 application. For example, that means you should be able to:
- listen to instructions and content using the screenreading software on your mobile device
- clearly distinguish text and content, and be able to magnify or zoom
- view content in a meaningful order
- clearly understand the content and instructions of the application.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this application is
We know some parts of this application aren't fully accessible:
- on some devices, some icon buttons do not have meaningful accessible text to tell the user what they represent. This will make it difficult for some screenreader users to know what they are clicking
- on some screens, the content is not read in a meaningful order. On the 'User' screen, the link buttons are announced before the main content of the page
- the minimum text contrast (light grey text on green) is slightly below the required standard. The 'Close' button on the login modal window is also below minimum contrast.
- the user is not alerted to the timeout after a period of inactivity, and there is no ability to turn off, adjust or extend it
- the map uses multipoint gestures, such as pinching to zoom. This could be difficult for some users, and there are are no +/- button alternatives
- users are required to move, tilt or orient the camera in order to take a photo as requested. This may prove difficult for some users
- content which is visually hidden on various screens is being announced, rather than ignored, by some screenreaders
What to do if you can't access parts of this application
If you need further information or assistance in using parts of this application, 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 application
We're always looking to improve the accessibility of this application. 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 application's accessibility
DAERA is committed to making its application accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
This application is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Issues with technology
- Using Talkback to listen to instructions, the Home button and the User button are announced only as 'link' - not what they represent. The button 'Geophoto requests' icon is not announced as a link at all. The green elipsis button icon is announced as 'link', not what it is. The green back arrow button icon is not announced as a link at all. And some other buttons are not announced also. This would make it impossible for screenreader user to know what they are clicking on (1.1.1 Non-text Content, 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics, 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)).
- On some screens, the links at the bottom of the screen are announced before the actual content of the page - e.g. on the User Page. On the Map View page, the photorequest details are announced as labels column, then values columns - not in rows. (1.3.1 Info and Relationships, 2.4.3 Focus Order)
- The positioning of the radio button, and the faintness of the outline on the initial declaration modal make it difficult to perceive (1.4.11 Non-text Contrast)
- The user is logged out of the app after a period of inactivity without ability to turn off, adjust or extend (2.2.1 Timing Adjustable).
- When a link is click to take the user to another screen (e.g. under User section), Talkback reads out content which is hidden on the page. This means users of assistive technologies are hearing the content of hidden page elements. Visually hidden content should be hidden to users of assistive technology (e.g. aria-hidden="true") (4.1.1 Parsing).
Issues with text
The minimum text contrast ratio fails for grey text on the green background. If the text were white it would pass. Also the 'Close' button on the login options modal does not pass contrast. (1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum))
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- No known associated PDFs or documents.
Issues with images, video and audio
- No known issues.
Issues with interactive tools and transactions
- The map employs multipoint gestures, such as pinch to zoom, and there is no other button or mechanism for carrying out the same function (2.5.1 Pointer Gestures).
- To enable the user to take a photo at the correct location, motion actuation is employed (panning or reorienting the camera in three dimensions). This may be difficult for some users, so an alternative method or process to enable submission of the required photographic information should be provided (2.5.4 Motion Actuation).
How we tested this application
This application was last tested on 24/02/2022. The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.
The following screens were tested:
- Login screen
- Credits
- IMOS login screen
- Terms of Use and Privacy
- GeoPhoto Requests
- Map View
- Profile
The screens were tested for code compliance using Axe for Android and Accessbility Scanner tools, along with Android Talkback and Magnification built-in software (for Android Moto G9). The screens also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust).
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 '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 08 March 2022. It was last updated on 08 March 2022.