Links

• Student experience
• Step 1: Create descriptive text
• Step 2: Microsoft Word tutorial 

Student experience

A screen-reader will first read the object type (whether it is an image, a link, a header two, etc.) and then read the content. Watch this video to see how screen readers read inaccessible versus accessible links.

• Duration
• 0:33

Screen readers' perspective

How screen readers read aloud information helps guide us on formatting our content:

1. Screen readers announce the type of object (for example, is it a paragraph, image, or link?)
2. Then the screen reader will read the content aloud.

Step 1: Create descriptive text

Documents containing links to websites or other online resources can be improved by including link text that is understood by the reader. For instance, using the full URL as the link text may not make sense to the reader, particularly if it is long. Here are the rules to follow:

• Identify the purpose or function of the hyperlink as part of the hyperlink name.
• Be as descriptive as possible without being overly long - the user will have to listen to the whole link before moving to the next link on the list.
• Integrate the link into your sentence - sighted users will see the link, and screen readers will identify the link.

Watch this intro video to delve a bit more into a screen reader user's perspective, common mistakes, and how to write meaningful links.

• Duration
• 3:36

Screen readers provide the ability to scan a page and generate a "Links List." The "Links List" can be extremely helpful, but only if the link text is descriptive.

This allows the user to listen to a list of hyperlinks that are available on the page and navigate directly to the desired hyperlink as opposed to being forced to listen to the entire page, line-by-line. 

In the example JAWS Links List to the right, what does "job # is 10-003" link mean? Where will it lead us?

While this is one of the simplest methods to direct individuals to other web pages and documents, hyperlinks can also have potential accessibility challenges. 

For example, under the "Inappropriate" section above, the Links List read by a screen reader will read aloud:

• Click Here
• More Info
• Read More
• Read More
• here
• here

For hyperlinks that allow students to download different file types (e.g., QuickTime movie, PDF, Word document), it can be helpful to include the file type in the name of the hyperlink itself. This is not specifically an accessibility issue but allows the user to determine how large the file will be and whether or not the connection speed will support such a file size. Here are some examples of including the name and file information in a hyperlink:

• Adobe Acrobat Datasheet (PDF, 500K)
• Course Syllabus (PDF)
• Letter of Introduction (Word Doc)
• View Memorial Service (Quicktime MOV)

Step 2: Microsoft Word tutorial 

 Watch tutorial

• Duration
• 2:09

Watch the video below in the Microsoft inline frame below to learn how to create or edit a hyperlink in Microsoft Word. 

1. Place the cursor anywhere on the desired hyperlink. Right-click the hyperlink.
2. Select Hyperlink, then Edit Hyperlink.
3. Under Text to Display, write the descriptive text for the hyperlink, keeping the text name short and descriptive.
4. Select OK.

You can enter or edit the hyperlink and Display text in your MS Word document by highlighting the phrase or word and hold down on the keyboard:

Command+K for Mac

CTRL+K for Windows

Alternatively, you may highlight the word or phrase, right-click, and select Link. 

Note: Tutorials may differ based on your operating system (Windows or Mac) and your Word version.