Congratulations, Defenders of Accessibility and Slayers of the Upside Down, we have reached the midpoint of our challenge! Repairing image accessibility issues in your courses may have left you feeling weary, but never fear, our next challenge will be easier to overcome.
In Chapters 7 & 8, we are tackling links and navigation errors in our courses. Link and navigation accessibility ensures that all users, including those using screen readers or keyboard-only navigation, can understand where links lead and move through course content effectively. This includes using descriptive link text, maintaining consistent navigation structures, and ensuring all interactive elements are keyboard accessible.
To conquer our next challenge, identify and repair the following link and navigation issues so your students won’t get lost in the Upside Down!
Common Link Errors
- Generic phrases: “click here,” “read more,” “learn more,” “this link.” Instead, use descriptive link text that tells users exactly where the link goes, such as “Download the Fall 2025 Course Catalog” or “View assignment rubric.”
- Vague references: “here,” “this,” “that document.” Instead, embed links within meaningful context or use specific descriptive text like “Review the Academic Integrity Policy” or “Access the Student Handbook.”
- Missing file information: Not indicating file type (PDF, Word, Excel) or size. Instead, include file type and size in the link text, such as “Syllabus (PDF, 245 KB)” or “Assignment Template (Word document, 1.2 MB).”
- Surprise new windows: Links that open in new tabs without warning. Instead, indicate when links open externally with text like “National Science Foundation website (opens in new tab)” or add a visual icon with appropriate alt text.
- URLs as link text: “Visit https://university.edu/policies/academic-integrity” Instead, use the page or document title as the link text, such as “Visit the Academic Integrity Policy” or “Review GCC’s Academic Policies.”
Common Navigation Mistakes
- Unclear module titles: Generic names like “Week 1,” “Module 3,” or “Unit A.” Instead, use descriptive titles that indicate content, such as “Week 1: Introduction to Cell Biology” or “Module 3: The Civil Rights Movement.”
- Inconsistent module structure: Varying formats, naming conventions, or organization across modules . Instead, maintain a predictable pattern throughout the course, such as always starting modules with “Overview,” followed by “Readings,” then “Activities,” and ending with “Assessment.”
- Using Style rather than headings to organize information: Avoid making text look like headings by increasing font size or bold. Instead, use built-in heading styles (Format > Heading 2, Heading 3, etc.) which create a logical document structure that screen readers can navigate and allow users to jump between sections efficiently.
Over the next two weeks, we challenge you to tackle link and navigation roadblocks in your own courses. Panorama and UDOIT3 are helpful tools to make short work of many of these issues!
If you’d like to meet with your fellow warriors to learn more about links and navigation, sign up for a Link and Navigation Workshop on Thursday, October 9, at 1:30 PM, or Friday, October 10, at 9:00 AM. We also welcome you to drop by our Accessibility Virtual Support hours held every Friday from 12:00 to 1:00 through November 21.