This page explains how accessible NISRA’s data visualisation websites are and what is being done to improve accessibility. This statement applies to content published on the visual.nisra.gov.uk, datavis.nisra.gov.uk, explore.nisra.gov.uk domains and NISRA Shiny applications.

Content on these websites are produced by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). 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% 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 these domains are

We know some parts of these domains are not fully accessible. You can see a full list of any issues we currently know about in the non-accessible content section of this statement.

Feedback and contact information

NISRA is always looking to improve the accessibility of these domains. If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we are not meeting the accessibility requirements, please contact NISRA by email.

If you need content from these domains in a different format please contact NISRA by email and advise:

  • the web address (URL) of the content
  • your name and contact details
  • the format you require (eg audio CD, or braille, BSL or large print accessible pdf)

We will consider your request and get back to you within 5 working days of receipt.

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 we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

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

Compliance Status

These domains are 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 we plan to fix it.

HTML Web Pages which:

  • do not have alternative text for images. Some pages contain charts to show numerical information this fails: WCAG 2.1 level A, 1.1.1 (Non-text content). These are harder to understand using a screenreader. To assist screenreader users, the chart data is available to download as an accessible, open format excel or csv file.
  • have some charts or graphics with some elements that have insufficient colour contrast, which may mean that users with low vision cannot easily distinguish between them. This fails WCAG 2.1 Level AA, 1.4.11 (Non-text contrast).
  • in some places, have elements where keyboard focus are not visible. This may mean that keyboard users can’t see exactly where they are on the page. This fails WCAG 2.1 level AA 2.4.7 (focus visible).
  • do not have all scrollbars on dashboards that can be operated using a keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.1 Level A 2.1.1 (keyboard).
  • may have some dashboard controls with missing labels so screenreader users may find it difficult to interpret and interact with these elements. This fails WCAG 2.1 Level A 3.3.2 (labels or instructions).
  • may contain missing/skipped headings and not all page contents are contained in named regions. This fails WCAG 2.1 Level A, 1.3.1 (Info and relationships). This may make the structure harder to understand for screenreader users.
  • do not have a language attribute set. This fails WCAG 2.1 Level A 3.1.1 (language of a page). This may mean that users of text to speech software or screen readers may lose some fluency and accuracy.

We plan to fix these problems by October 2024.

Power BI Dashboards:

Some visualisations are created using Power BI. There are known accessibility issues with Power BI which can only be addressed by Microsoft - for example in some areas text content is not readable when scrolling horizontally or vertically, this fails WCAG 2.1 Level AA 1.4.10 (reflow). In the most cases these visualisations are supplementary to an accessible output. We strive to develop these visualisations to ensure they are as accessibile as possible.

Instant Atlas Maps:

  • Whilst maps are exempt from the Accessibility regulations, the navigation of the maps and selecting an area may not be navigated using a keyboard, this fails WCAG 2.1 Level A 2.1.1 (keyboard).

We plan to replace the maps with accessible maps or remove them by October 2024.

Census Area Explorer

  • Whilst maps are exempt from the Accessibility regulations, the navigation of the maps and selecting an area may not be navigated using a keyboard, this fails WCAG 2.1 Level A 2.1.1 (keyboard).

Data from the maps is available to download at Census Area Explorer in an accessible format.

No further development is planned.

Shiny Applications

Some of our visualisation are built using the package Rshiny, we know some of these visualisations are not accessible, however these visualisations are supplementary to accessible outputs and we are working toward making them as accessible as possible.

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

Our service includes the use of online maps to show certain geographical information. These are not used for navigational purposes and are exempt under the regulations. If you require the information presented in an online map in a different format, please contact us to discuss reasonable adjustments.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 15 March 2024. It was last reviewed on 7 August 2024.

These domains were tested for compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 level A and level AA. These tests have been carried out internally and were last tested on 21/12/2023. Testing was carried out using a combination of semi-automated tools (WAVE and AXE) and some manual desktop testing.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

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

We are :

  • continuing to train and provide support to our staff to create accessible documents
  • checking pages uploaded are in line with accessibility regulations
  • running our own accessibility checks bi-annually and targeting any issues found

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