When including links, avoid using the full URL and vague terms like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, embed hyperlinks and use unique, descriptive text to describe the link’s destination.
- Good example: Visit the ASA Newsletter.
- Bad example: Visit the ASA Newsletter https://www.asanewsletter.org/.
- Bad example: Click here to visit the ASA Newsletter.
Why?
Users who navigate via screen readers often jump from link to link. This means that providing context within the link text is crucial.
All users can more easily understand and navigate content when link text is meaningful.
How?
There are several ways to insert descriptive hyperlinks. Most applications have similar methods.
In Microsoft Word:
- Highlight text
- Choose the Insert tab in the ribbon
- Select Link from the context menu
- Enter the URL in the Insert Hyperlink dialog box
Tip: Quickly insert a hyperlink in many applications using the shortcut CTRL+K on your keyboard
Tip: Another common way to add links in an application is to look for the 🔗 link icon.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act:Â All Minnesota State employee electronic documents and course materials must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards by April 24, 2026. These guidelines provide a comprehensive framework to ensure that content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.
