Crating Accessible Links
Why Accessible Links Matter
Clear, concise, and meaningful links improve both the accessibility and usability of digital content at CWU.
Links should clearly describe their destination so users can quickly understand where the link will take them. People often scan pages by links—whether they are using assistive technology or not.
Descriptive link text allows links to be understood even when read out of context, which is especially important for screen reader users who may navigate a page by reviewing a list of links rather than reading all surrounding text.
Long or vague link text, links that span multiple lines, generic phrases, or raw URLs can make it harder for users to evaluate links quickly. Using short, descriptive, and clearly identifiable link text helps users understand the purpose of a link at a glance and decide whether it is relevant to them.
| Inaccessible link | Accessible link | Why it’s a problem |
|---|---|---|
| Click here | View CWU academic calendar | “Click here” provides no information about the destination and is meaningless when read out of context by a screen reader. |
| Learn more | Learn more about digital accessibility at CWU | Generic phrases do not describe the purpose of the link and force users to rely on surrounding text. |
| More info | Accessibility training resources for content managers | Screen reader users may encounter “More info” repeatedly when navigating by links. |
| https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/institutional-effectiveness/strategic-planning/index.php | CWU Strategic Planning page | Raw URLs are difficult to read aloud, harder to scan visually, and provide no immediate context. |
| Read this | Read CWU’s web accessibility guidelines | The link text does not indicate what “this” refers to, creating confusion for all users. |
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Common Link Accessibility Errors
1. Using Generic Link Text
Examples: “Click here,” “Learn more,” “More info” These links do not describe the destination or purpose. When links are read out of context—such as in a screen reader’s link list—they become meaningless and repetitive.2. Relying on Surrounding Text for Meaning
Example: “Read this document for details.” Users should not need to read the surrounding sentence to understand where a link goes. Link text should stand on its own.3. Exposing Raw URLs as Link Text
Example: https://www.cwu.edu/about/offices/institutional-effectiveness/strategic-planning/index.php Raw URLs are difficult to scan visually and are read aloud character-by-character by screen readers, making them hard to understand.4. Using the Same Link Text for Different Destinations
Example: Multiple links labeled “Learn more” that go to different pages. Screen reader users cannot distinguish between links when navigating by link text alone.5. Creating Overly Long or Multi-Line Links
Long links or links that wrap across multiple lines are harder to read, harder to select, and slower to understand—especially for users with cognitive or motor impairments.6. Using Device-Specific Language
Examples: “Click,” “Tap,” “Press” Not all users click or tap. Links should describe the action or destination, not the method of interaction.7. Failing to Identify File Types
Example: “Download accessibility checklist” Users should be told when a link opens a file and what type it is (PDF, Word, Excel), so they know what to expect.8. Using Visual Cues Alone
Example: “Links in blue text above” Instructions that rely only on color or position exclude users who cannot perceive visual cues. -
Best Practices for Creating Links
Follow these best practices to improve the accessibility and usability of links in your digital content.
- Use clear, descriptive link text that explains the destination or action without relying on surrounding content.
- Make sure link text makes sense when read on its own, such as in a list of links used by screen readers.
- Avoid generic phrases like “click here,” “learn more,” or “read this.”
- Use internal links when pointing to content within the CWU website, and reserve external links for resources that live outside of CWU’s web presence.
- Clearly indicate when a link goes to an external website so users know they are leaving cwu.edu.
- Identify file types when linking to documents (for example, PDF, Word, Excel).
- Keep link text concise and avoid long or multi-line links.
- Do not use raw URLs as link text unless the URL itself is necessary.
- Avoid device-specific language such as “click” or “tap.”
- Ensure links are visually distinguishable and do not rely on color alone to indicate they are links.
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