Accessibility

Last Updated: 23/01/2025

Applicable to: home.ipoapplications.ie and portal.ipoapplications.ie.

The International Protection Office (IPO) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users of our IPO portal (IPOP), including those with disabilities. We strive to provide an inclusive and user-friendly experience for everyone who interacts with the IPOP portal. This statement outlines our efforts to meet accessibility standards, the current compliance status, and how users can provide feedback or request assistance.

The IPOP portal has been developed with accessibility as a core principle. Our goal is to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, in line with the European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.

The portal has been designed and developed to be accessible to users with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. We have implemented features such as keyboard navigation, alternative text for images, and clear, simple language to enhance usability.

Throughout the development process, the development team used software to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines. Any identified bugs identified by the test team were addressed by the development team, with the exception of one component, as detailed below.

The IPOP portal is partially compliant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. While the majority of the portal meets accessibility standards, there is one known exception:

• eSignature Component: The eSignature feature, which allows applicants to sign their name on an iPad device, is not fully accessible. The development team is actively working to resolve this issue in a future release.

The following content does not currently meet accessibility standards:

• eSignature Component: As noted above, this feature is not accessible to screen readers. Mitigation measures are in place to ensure applicants are supported during the signing process.
• Potential Unidentified Issues: Due to the limitations of software testing, there may be additional accessibility issues that have not yet been identified. We are committed to addressing these as they are discovered.

This statement was prepared on 23/01/2025 and will be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect ongoing improvements and changes to the portal.

Feedback and Contact Information

We welcome feedback from users on the accessibility of the IPOP portal. If you encounter any accessibility barriers or have suggestions for improvement, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 01-6028202

When providing feedback, please include the following details:

• The specific issue you encountered.
• The URL or page where the issue occurred.
• Your contact information (if you would like a response).

We will make every effort to address your concerns and provide assistance in a timely manner.

If you are dissatisfied with our response to your feedback, you can escalate your complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman. For more information, visit https://ombudsman.ie.

The IPO is committed to maintaining and improving the accessibility of the IPOP portal. Our future plans include:

• Resolving the eSignature component accessibility issue.
• Conducting a manual audit to ensure full compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines.

We will continue to monitor advancements in accessibility standards and technologies to ensure the portal remains inclusive for all users.

The IPOP portal includes the following accessibility features:

• Keyboard Navigation: The portal supports keyboard-only navigation for users who cannot use a mouse.
• Alternative Text: All images include descriptive alternative text (alt text).
• Clear Language: Content is written in clear, simple language to improve readability.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: The portal is designed to work with screen readers, with the exception of the eSignature component.

Thank you for visiting the IPOP portal. We are dedicated to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for all users. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.