Make Web Links Accessible

About Web Links

Learners that rely on screen reading software often encounter difficulties with the way web links are named. Links that simply appear as "click here" are especially problematic. As a general rule, avoid using "click here" within linked text. Instead, using meaningful or descriptive web link names. Let's take a look at a couple of examples.

Good Example: Today's Weather

Bad Example #1: Click here for today's weather

Bad Example #2: Click here for today's weather

Bad Example #3: https://weather.com/weather/today/l/USFL0163:1:US

Good Example: Pharmaceuticals and the Internet

Bad Example #1: Click here for the article on Pharmaceuticals and the Internet

Bad Example #2: Click here for the article on Pharmaceuticals and the Internet

Bad Example #3: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/h2960e/h2960e.pdf

The good examples note above provide learners with a meaningful description and allows learners that rely on screen reading software to be informed about the subject of the resulting web page.

A Couple of Exceptions

As with any general rule, there are a couple of exceptions: If you are printing out a document to share with students, it may be helpful to show the web address next to the name of the web site. Additionally, it may be helpful to show a web address within certain courses. For example, if you are teaching a course on information technology and explaining how the Internet works, it may be useful to show the structure of a web address.