Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Help
  3. Accessibility

Accessibility statement for nidirect

This page explains how accessible the nidirect website is and what is being done to improve accessibility.

Accessibility statement

This statement applies to content published on the www.nidirect.gov.uk domain. It does not apply to content on nidirect.gov.uk subdomains (for example https://identity.nidirect.gov.uk/) and third party domains hosting nidirect services.

This website is run by the Department of Finance. It is designed to be used by as many people as possible. The text should be clear and simple to understand. You should be able to:

  • zoom in up to 300 per cent without problems
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
  • navigate most of the website using speech recognition software
  • use most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

How accessible this website is

Parts of this website are not fully accessible. For example:

  • some pages and document attachments are not clearly written
  • some tables do not have row or column headers
  • some heading elements are not consistent
  • some images and icons do not have good alternative text
  • some complex images do not have sufficient descriptions
  • some video content does not have a text alternative
  • many documents are in PDF and MS Office formats and are not accessible

How to ask for content in an accessible format

If you need content on the nidirect website in a different format email accessibility.nidirect@finance-ni.gov.uk and advise:

  • the web address (URL) of the content
  • your name and email address
  • the format you need, for example, audio CD, braille, BSL or large print, accessible PDF

This email address is for accessibility queries about the nidirect website only - the team cannot respond to any other queries.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

nidirect is always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think the site is not meeting accessibility requirements, contact nidirect by:

  • email: accessibility.nidirect@finance-ni.gov.uk

This email address is for accessibility queries about the nidirect website only - the team cannot respond to any other queries.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’) in Northern Ireland. If you’re not happy with how nidirect responded to your complaint, contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

nidirect 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.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations        

The content that is not accessible is outlined below with details of:

  • the accessibility problem(s)
  • where it fails the success criteria
  • and when nidirect plans to fix it

Page Structure

  • there are broken or empty links on some pages. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1, Level A, 2.4.4
  • some pages contain empty headings. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1, Level AA, 2.4.6

We plan to repair the above within the next 12 months, by September 2023.

Documents

A number of documents including PDFs are non-accessible for a number of reasons which may result in a loss of meaning for users of screen readers or present issues for users with moderately low vision. For example, some documents:

  • do not have a meaningful title or the title is missing, or incorrect nesting of titles . This is a failure of WCAG Level A, 1.3.1, 2.4.2
  • have text incorrectly marked up as headings. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1, Level A, 2.4.6
  • do not have a language attribute set. This is a failure of WCAG 3.1.1 (language of page)
  • have areas of insufficient colour contrast. This is a failure of WCAG 1.4.3 (contrast minimum)
  • have poor colour contrast in infographics which cause issues for people with low vision. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1, Level AA, 1.4.11
  • have used colour to convey meaning but do not also have a text alternative. This is a failure of WCAG 2.1, Level A, 1.4.1
  • do not have required bookmarks in documents that have over 20 pages to help users with screen readers navigate within the document. This is a failure of WCAG Level A, 2.4.5
  • do not have a correct reading order. This fails WCAG 1.3.1 (info and relationships) and 1.3.2 (meaningful sequence)
  • do not have alternative text for images. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content)
  • have tables which are not marked up correctly. This fails WCAG 1.3.1 info and relationships)
  • are scanned documents with errors in elements including reading order, language, and title. This fails WCAG 1.3.1 (info and relationships)
  • are not responsive when page zoom is enabled and set to 400 per cent. This is a failure of WCAG Level AA, 1.4.10

It is planned to repair this within the next 12 months, by September 2023.

If you find you need one of our non-accessible documents published since September 2018 before it is repaired, contact us by:

  • email: accessibility.nidirect@finance-ni.gov.uk

This email address is for accessibility queries about the nidirect website only - the team cannot respond to any other queries.

Any new PDFs or other documents we publish will meet the required accessibility standards.

Images and Video

  • some images do not have a text alternative (alt text), so people using a screen reader cannot access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.1.1 (non-text content)
  • a small number of complex images and charts do not convey meaningful information and cannot be described in a text alternative. Detailed descriptions are not currently available which is a failure of WCAG 2.1 1.1.1 (non-text content) and 1.3.1 (info and relationships)
  • some images include text which do not have sufficient contrast against the background, so people with moderately low vision may not be able to access the information. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 1.4.3 (contrast)
  • a small number of pages have embedded video content without text alternatives, closed captions or audio descriptions. This may prevent users from adapting the material through any sensory modality (for example, visual, auditory or tactile) to match their needs. This fails WCAG 2.1 1.2.1 (audio-only and video-only (pre-recorded)), 1.2.2 (captions), 1.2.3 (audio description or media alternative (pre-recorded) and 1.2.5 (audio description (pre-recorded)

It is planned to repair the above within the next 12 months, by September 2023. When nidirect publishes new content we’ll make sure the use of images and video meets accessibility standards.

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable.

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

As a website published before 23 September 2018, we are required to comply with the web accessibility regulations from 23 September 2020.

However, some of our content is exempt from the accessibility regulations:

  • pre-recorded audio and video published before 23 September 2020
  • heritage collections
  • PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 - unless required for the use of a service, for example a form
  • maps
  • third party content that is not within our control, for example, embedded video players like Vimeo or YouTube, and embedded Google Maps
  • third party domains hosting nidirect services

If you have any problems using this website, tell us by:  

  • email: accessibility.nidirect@finance-ni.gov.uk 

This email address is for accessibility queries about the nidirect website only - the team cannot respond to any other queries.

PDFs and other documents

Many documents are non-accessible in a number of ways including missing text alternatives and missing document structure.

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Any new PDFs or other documents nidirect publishes will meet the required accessibility standards.

How we tested this website

This website was and is currently being tested for compliance using the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 level A and level AA, and Microsoft accessibility guidelines. These tests have been carried out externally and independently.

nidirect used the Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) approach to deciding on a sample of pages to test.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

Maintaining an accessible site is an ongoing process and nidirect is continually working to offer an accessible and user friendly experience.

nidirect plan to identify and fix issues according to the timescales shown for each area above.

This statement was prepared on 18 September 2020. It was last updated on 9 March 2023.

Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on Twitter (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Accessibility

  • Accessibility features
  • Accessibility statement for Access NI
  • Accessibility statement for angling license, permit and enforcement system (LPE)
  • Accessibility statement for Computer Assisted Mapping Ecommerce Online 2 (CAMEO 2)
  • Accessibility statement for Criminal Injury and Damage Management Information System (CIDMIS)
  • Accessibility statement for Finance Support application form
  • Accessibility statement for Genealogy Northern Ireland (GENI)
  • Accessibility statement for Land and Property Services Rates Support System (LPS RSS)
  • Accessibility statement for landlord registration services
  • Accessibility statement for Legal Aid Management System (LAMS)
  • Accessibility statement for nidirect
  • Accessibility statement for Planning Appeals Commission and Water Appeals Commission (PACWAC)
  • Accessibility statement for Rates Payment Service
  • Changing how your screen looks
  • Supported browsers and platforms

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS