Describe what users will expect when they click a link
It is important to make your links descriptive. The purpose of descriptive links is to provide users with the proper context of what to expect when they click the link or where clicking the link will take them.
When external links are added in Blackboard, instructors are required to give both a name and the URL for the link. Internal links in Blackboard also require a name. The name should be the descriptive link, and once the link has been created, is what the user sees and clicks on.
“Click here” or “see more” are not descriptive links and must be avoided. They can create confusion for users when read out by a screen reader. For instance, instead of ‘Click here to read more about web accessibility guidelines’ be more descriptive like this, ‘Learn more about web accessibility guidelines’.
Similarly, web addresses and URLs are not informative and must not be used. A screen reader reads each letter individually.
Blackboard Ally will check whether the link has a descriptive name and whether it can be distinguished from surrounding text without solely relying on colour.
Watch the Web Accessibility Design Principles video on links.
Join a session to find out how Ally can be used to check and improve the accessibility of your course content in Blackboard. (There is no need to book, simply use the link shown below at the appropriate time. The session will be held in Blackboard Collaborate, please join using Google Chrome).
Or watch a recording of a previous Blackboard Ally session.