WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: advice on make this page with links to documents mostaccessible

for

From: John E Brandt
Date: Jan 17, 2013 11:56AM

The only thing I can see that is "wrong" with this page is that the links
which have the PDF icon (and ALT description "PDF) do not actually link to
PDF documents.

As you know, the accessibility standards require users be informed when the
linked resource requires a special plugins to be viewed. Hence, having a PDF
icon and appropriate Alt description meets this standard. But if the link
brings the user to an anchor on the page (and not to a PDF), no icon or
information is required.

Just take all of those PDF icons out of the initial "Topics" list and the
page will be fine.

~j

John E. Brandt
www.jebswebs.com
<EMAIL REMOVED>
207-622-7937
Augusta, Maine, USA


-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Angela French
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 12:22 PM
To: WebAim Forum ( <EMAIL REMOVED> )
Subject: [WebAIM] advice on make this page with links to documents most
accessible

A page editor on a site I give support to, formatted a page in a way that
concerns me accessibility-wise.

http://sbctc.edu/college/_e-assess2011-12flcs.aspx

On this page, there is a "Topics" heading that contains a list which
basically acts as a table of contents for more detailed information down the
page. Each list item begins with a link that jumps to the detailed content.
Most of the topics have a linked-to PDF associated with them.
You will see on the 4th list item, "Creating Authentic Outcomes-Based
Assessments in the Chemistry Laboratory" that the content editor created the
anchor link, then followed that link with a PDF icon which links to a PDF.
The problem here from an accessibility standpoint, I believe, is that the
PDF link (just the icon) essentially has no link label.

I've thought of a possible solution, but am questioning the amount of
redundancy it creates. For my test solution, click the second topics list
item "F2F: Face to Face and Faculty-to-Faculty: Learning from Each Other."
It jumps down to an <h3> heading of the same label. Then underneath the
heading I put a link (the same redundant label again) to the document,
including the PDF icon in the hypertext link as is our practice on this
site.

Comments regarding accessibility, usability (too much redundancy?) and other
possible solutions greatly appreciated.

Angela French
Internet Specialist
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
360-704-4316
<EMAIL REMOVED>
http://www.checkoutacollege.com/

messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>