Links
Meaningful Hyperlinks
A hyperlink "link" is an icon, graphic, or underlined phrase in a document that links to another resource or web page.
Why Use this?
- Links are a great way to connect your audience with additional resources and tools.
- Inserting a full URL into your content can be challenging for screen reader users because the screen reader reads the entire URL, character by character. For instance, it will read https://radr.rutgers.edu/
- Imagine if you were searching a page for a link and all you heard was “Link: https://radr.rutgers.edu” or “Link: this article” or “Link: Click Here.” A screen reader user would never know where that link was taking them.
- Full URL's are also very unsightly to non-screener users.
- Using meaningful link text provides a better user experience for those with and without disabilities.
Creating meaningful hyperlinks is easy to do! There are some rules to follow.
- When linking to a website, article, document use the Insert Link tool which usually looks like a picture of a chain link.
- Give the link a meaningful Title. Giving your link a title makes your document look more professional and organized and allows users of assistive technology to search a page for certain links more effectively.
- If linking to an article, then the link text should be the same as the title of the article.
- Links should describe the destination in a meaningful way. The link should provide the reader with information about what they are linking to and DO NOT use terms like "click here" or "link here."
Incorrect: https://radr.rutgers.edu/ or "Click Here" or "Link Here"
Correct:Rutgers Access and Disability Resource website or RADR website
- When linking to a website, article, document use the Insert Link tool which usually looks like a picture of a chain link.
- Don't use terms such as "link here" or "click here" when using the Insert Link Tool.
- Don't paste the entire URL.