Accessibility Statement - Apply for wildlife licence
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:
- there is no way to save the application as you go and there's no mechanism for extending time-out.
- page titles are quite ambiguous, so it may be difficult for some users to tell which page they are on. Additional main page headings could be more descriptive
- using the back button does not return the user to the start of the previous page
- the Species multi-select dropdown may be problematic for screenreaders, as the selected values are not identified to the user on re-tabbing, nor is there an alert to say that they've been added.
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 AffairsDundonald 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 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Issues with technology
- At smaller resolutions, tabs must be horizontally scrolled which is independent of the main page scrolling. This is different from GOV.UK where tabs are degraded to anchor links (1.4.10 Reflow)
- The application times out after a period and there was no observed way to turn off, adjust or extend the time. As there are long form field entries, the concern is that a user could be timed out whilst gathering this information (Timing Adjustable 2.2.1)
- the multi-select for 'Species' may be problematic. When an item is tabbed to and selected, it is added but the user is not alerted by the screenreader that is has been selected. Similarly, when the 'delete item' receives focus, the screenreader does not identify the species being deleted (On Input 3.2.2)
Issues with text
- Some amendments to H1 and H2 headings may simplify overall page structure and reduce redundant content (Info and relationships 1.3.1)
- Headings on most pages are 'Licence details' which is not indicative of the information gathered on those pages. (Headings and Labels 2.4.6)
- Pages have titles, but they are ambiguous in describing the topic or purpose of individual pages (Page Titled 2.4.2)
Issues with PDFs and other documents
- No known issues
Issues with images, video and audio
- No known issues
Issues with interactive tools and transactions
- remembering a password is required as part of the nidirect/Govt Gateway sign-in mechanisms but are outside of the scope of this application (Accessible Authentication 3.3.8)
How we tested this website
This website was last tested on 04 January 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 Accessiblity Evaluation Tool). PDF documents were tested using Adobe Accessibility Checker. NVDA was used to check basic screenreading capability. The pages also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust).
We tested:
- Licence Application
- Licence details (which licence)
- Licence details (licence type)
- Licence details (species information)
- Licence details (reason for application)
- Licence details (other consents)
- Licence details (supporting docs)
- Licence details (summary)
- Licence details (payment)
- Licence details (application complete)
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.
This statement was prepared on 04 January 2024. It was last updated on 04 January 2024.