Accessibility

Our accessibility statement applies to your usage of this website and services.

  1. Marine Noise Registry
  2. Accessibility

Marine Noise Registry Accessibility Statement

Version 1.0 Last updated [22/09/2023]

This accessibility statement applies to the whole of the https://mnr.jncc.gov.uk domain.

This website is managed by the Joint Nature Conservation. We want all users to have a positive experience in using the website. For example, that means you should be able to:

  • change colours and contrast levels
  • zoom in up to 300% without the text spilling off the screen
  • navigate most of the website using just a keyboard

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

Due to the nature of the content, and the users of the system being mainly desktop or laptop based, the website is not intended to be used on mobile devices or small screens.

AbilityNet (https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/) has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible is this website?

We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible:

Issues affecting people with low vision

  • Some of the content in the Marine Noise Registry does not meet a contrast ratio requirement of 4:5:1. This is being addressed as part of ongoing development work.

Issues affecting screen reader users

  • Maps and graphs throughout the website are not comprehensible to screen readers.
  • Some structural labels are not programmatically determined owing to the overall design of the webpages. Where possible content has been clarified via use of Aria tags.
  • Data tables are split into two tables which may generate problems for screen readers. This is a feature of the technology so it cannot be fixed by the project.
  • There is no method to bypass blocks of content repeated on multiple webpages.
  • Where possible, names and roles of interface components have been set and/or utilised Aria tags. However, some components (including collapse control buttons) do not have text elements.

Issues affecting people who use keyboard navigation

  • Geoplot controls and map components are not accessible for people using solely keyboard navigation.
  • Pop-up notifications cannot be closed using keyboard navigation. This is an issue with the underlying technology selected and cannot be resolved by the project.
  • Slider controls in the outputs section are not keyboard accessible. Individuals wishing to access the data via keyboard navigation can download the data as files.
  • Visible focus indicators are not available for interactive elements.
  • In Firefox browser, forward navigation access is restricted when using keyboard navigation. In this scenario, reverse tabbing through the page can be used as an alternative solution.

Feedback and contact information

Due to the interactive nature of the system, it is not possible to provide all the content in different formats like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or Braille.

If you wish to access specific content in a different format, please contact mnr@jncc.gov.uk.

We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.

Reporting accessibility problems with this website

We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, please email us at mnr@jncc.gov.uk.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).

Contacting us by phone or visiting us in person

It is possible to visit our offices in person by invitation only. Our meeting rooms have audio induction loops.

Please contact us at mnr@jncc.gov.uk for further information.

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

Joint Nature Conservation Committee is committed to making the Marine Noise Registry website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances and exemptions listed below.

Non-accessible content

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

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

  • The geo plot has no alternative text and is not comprehensible in its current state with screen readers. This fails WCAG 1.1.1. We plan to add text alternatives by March 2024.
  • Some information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation are not programmatically determined or available in text (eg. <nav> and <h1> have not been consistently applied). Where possible, Aria tags have been added for clarity. This fails WCAG 1.3.1. We plan to review our approach by March 2024 – some issues can be addressed while some are results of the underlying technology and would be considered a ‘disproportionate burden’.
  • The application times out without notice or ability to extend this period. This fails WCAG 2.2.1. We plan to change this by March 2024.
  • Some user interface components names and roles (including but not limited to: form elements, links and components generated by scripts) cannot be programmatically determined; in some cases, states, properties, and values set by the user cannot be programmatically set; and notification of changes to these items is not available to user agents, including assistive technologies. This fails WCAG 4.1.2. We plan to review our approach by March 2024 – some issues can be addressed while some are results of the underlying technology and would be considered a ‘disproportionate burden’.
  • Some of the content in the Marine Noise Registry does not meet a contrast ratio requirement of 4:5:1. This fails WCAG 1.4.3. This will be addressed as part of ongoing development work by March 2024.
  • In some tables, data is partially obscured when above 80%. This fails WCAG 1.4.4. This will be addressed as part of ongoing development work by March 2024.

Disproportionate burden

  • The data tables have been split into two tables where visually they appear as only one table. This splitting can cause several issues but is a result of the underlying technology. This fails WCAG 1.3.1.
  • When a pop up notification is displayed the close control is not reachable with the keyboard. These pop ups auto delete after a short period. This pop up notification interaction is a result of the underlying technology. This fails WCAG 2.1.1.
  • Slider controls are not keyboard accessible. This fails WCAG 2.1.1.
  • In some internet browsers, forward navigation is restricted. After moving to "Regulator", any further tabbing sends the focus back to the start of the component. It is possible to reverse tab through the page. This is a result of the underlying technology. This fails WCAG 2.1.2.
  • No mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple webpages. The majority of content in these blocks is required for successful navigation of the site so bypass would be unhelpful. This fails WCAG 2.4.1.
  • Visible focus indicators are not available for interactive elements. This fails WCAG 2.4.7.

We’ve assessed the cost of fixing the issues with navigation and accessing information, and with interactive tools and components. We believe that doing so now would be a disproportionate burden within the meaning of the accessibility regulations. We will make another assessment when the supplier contract is up for renewal, likely to be in 2027.

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

Maps - some pages contain maps that are not intended for navigation and are therefore exempt from the accessibility regulations.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

We are commencing Phase 3 of the Marine Noise Registry upgrade and will review accessibility as part of that process, over the next 12 months. We will update this “Accessibility Statement” when issues have been resolved and tested.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 22 September 2023. It was last reviewed on 22 September 2023.

This website was last tested on 02 March 2023. The test was carried out by Test Partners Ltd. (https://www.testpartners.co.uk/). The website is constructed from a library of components, testing was carried out across components that are used throughout the website.