Make all links informative:
How do you do this?
- Use brief text that indicates the content/nature of the link
when seen out of context (for example, avoid 'Click here', 'More..',
'Full Report', 'View Resources'). (W3C
Techniques for link text)
- If the link is to a non-HTML document, include the file type
as a minimum. It also helps to include the size and number
of pages as part of the link. Always include contact
details of a person who can provide more information, or a hard
copy, in case the user does not have the software to access
the
document, eg Web
Usage Policy, WORD format, 179KB, 32 pages, (Contact Maria
Moore (03) 6226 6387 for more information)
- Make the link itself a large target (larger than the cursor)
- For links that open a new browser window, indicate this in the
link text or link title
- Do not use URL's as link text
Why?
- Link names must make sense when viewed out
of context particularly because some assistive technologies allows
users to browse a page rendered as an alphabetic list of links.
- The link is rendered once only by voice browsers, including
the file type allows users to tell instantly if they have the
software
it uses and the file size indicates the speed of download (and
therefore how long they might have to wait) for users who may
have slow internet
connections.
- Including the number of pages assists students who
may be paying for printing by the page.
- Making the link a reasonable size (at least larger than the
cursor) makes it easier for people with mobility impairments
to
click on the
link.
- Warning the user that a new
window will
open
will reduce the chance that they will 'lose their place'
in your
site. This applies to users with screen
readers and those will limited internet experience.
- W3C
Web Content Accessibility Checkpoint 13.1
- Your pages will be more usable by search engines
Next Tip: Don't rely
on colour alone to convey important information
These tips may be applied to any web site or Vista
course, and are derived from the World Wide Web Consortium
(W3C) Web
Accessibility Initiative but are not intended to reinterpret
them. Web developers are encouraged to access the W3C
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 1.0, directly.
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