Accessibility statement for Access NI

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

Accessibility statement

This service is part of the wider nidirect website. There is a separate accessibility statement available for the main NI direct website.

This page only contains information about the nidirect AccessNI Service.

This statement applies to the Access NI service web based application which is accessible via the www.nidirect.gov.uk website.

This application is run by the Department of Justice. It is designed to be used by as many people as possible. The text should be clear and simple to understand.

When accessing the application through the web browser, you should be able to:

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

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this web application is

Parts of this web application are not fully accessible. For example:

some documents are in PDF format and are not accessible

How to request content in an accessible format

If you need information in a different format contact us by either:

calling the NI Direct Contact Centre who handle calls on behalf of the Access NI Service on 0300 200 7888
by email at ani@accessni.gov.uk

and advise us of:

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

Reporting accessibility problems

AccessNI is always looking to improve accessibility of our application. If you find any problems not listed here or think AccessNI is not meeting accessibility requirements contact them by calling the contact centre on 0300 200 7888 and they will investigate the issue or email ani@accessni.gov.uk.

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 AccessNI responds to your complaint, contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

Technical information about this web apps accessibility

nidirect is committed to making its website and apps accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance Status

This application is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the exemptions listed below.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

This application is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the exemptions listed.

Disproportionate burden

Not applicable.

Content that’s not within the scope of accessibility regulations

As a web application published before 23 September 2018, AccessNI is required to comply with the web accessibility regulations from 23 September 2020.

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 AccessNI publish will meet the required accessibility standards.

How this web application was tested

This web application was tested for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 level A and level AA, and these tests have been carried out externally and independently.

This application was last tested between 20 July 2020 and 29July 2020. The Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) approach to deciding on a sample of pages to test.

What AccessNI is doing to improve accessibility

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

This statement was prepared on 22 September 2020. It was last updated on 23 February 2022.

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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.

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 your GRONI account, 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.

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Accessibility statement for Access NI