Embedded Files
Accessibility for Academics
In course documents and assignment instructions, we frequently include links to additional content, such as readings and videos, on the internet. These links can be optimized for accessibility and in the process, can be made easier to find and use for all students.
The Ideal Hyperlink
The Ideal Hyperlink
An optimal hyperlink:
has descriptive hypertext, or the text that lays atop the link. So for example, the link Canisius University points to the URL http://www.canisius.edu whereas the hypertext is "Canisius University." An assistive tech user can be reasonably sure that the link Canisius University goes to a location centrally representing the university.
does not have hypertext that says simply click here or just here, as in: You can find the Canisius University website here. Among the ways assistive tech users can quickly scan a page without using a video display or a mouse, are keyboard shortcuts. One of these (usually Tab key) can jump between links. This can help a user quickly review a page to find the links they need, but if a link's hypertext says only "here," it is no help, even if surrounding text provides context.
other examples: Canisius Quick Guide to Technology for Students, D2L Self-Paced Training for Students, Canisius University Athletics.
can use the URL as hypertext if it is short and practically descriptive. For example, https://www.canisius.edu/studenttech or https://www.canisius.edu/ might be accessible, since a student can reasonably suspect where they go. However, since a screen reader will sound out links, long, complicated URLs can be an annoyance, both vsiually and audibly.
if it goes to a downloadable file, indicates that and an estimate of the file's size, so all users know to expect it. For example, here is the About Canisius Guide (PDF, 144 KB)
if behind an image, has an especially descriptive Alt-Text that indicates where the link goes.
Additional tips:
As above, text editors usually assign common elements for hyperlinks. This means a color set apart from the body text, as well as underlining. Therefore, avoid using underlining to format any other text, including headings.
Keep the color of links separate when developing themes and style sets, but be sure that color is also high-contrast. However, recall that students with some form of color-blindness may not be able to rely on color alone to determine links, so keep underlining as a link format option.
Opens in an additional window or browser tab. This means students need not use a "back" button to return to their original source. What's more, this prevents sites (such as D2L) from attempting to embed content, which increasingly does not work.
Page updated
Report abuse