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RE: click here?

for

From: Tim Harshburger
Date: Sep 4, 2001 10:05AM

I would shorten "Click Here to View Map" to just "View Map."

"Click Here" is device specific terminology, since a link can be activated multiple ways (besides using a mouse) I would tend to stay away from device specific terminology. Also, phrases like "Click Here to..." or "Link to..." seem to be used to indicate a link. All the interfaces I know of already do that, whether it is by underlining the links or saying the word "link" prior to speaking the text of the link. I know especially for people using screen readers it is important to make the text as brief and to the point as possible. Navigating a site by ear relies heavily upon memory. The more verbose the pages are, the more likely I am to forget something important and have to start reading the page all over again.

While "Click Here to View Map" does not erect a barrier that prevents people from using a site, it can make it more difficult to use under certain circumstances.

Tim
-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2001 10:35 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: RE: click here?

I would say it is okay, especially if it is an alt tag on a picture....but that is only my opinion

Sincerely,

Miike Burks
-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]On Behalf Of Kitzzy Aviles
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2001 11:25 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: Re: click here?

Just to clarify ...
If for example, I have the words "Click here to view map" as a link instead of the same phrase with just the words "Click Here" linked is that as bad? Or should that also be avoided?


Kitzzy Aviles
Specialist, Techranger Development & Training
Course Development & Web Services
<EMAIL REMOVED>
>>> <EMAIL REMOVED> 09/04/01 10:47AM >>>
Below is a copy of the Web Accessibility Initiative's quick tips saying "do
not use click here"!!


WAI Quick Tips Reference Card - Final version


Quick tips to make accessible Web sites
FOR COMPLETE GUIDELINES & CHECKLIST: WWW.W3.ORG/WAI
1. Images & animations. Use the alt attribute to describe the function of
all
visuals.
2. Image maps. Use client-side MAP and text for hotspots.
3. Multimedia. Provide captioning and transcripts of audio, descriptions of
video, and accessible versions in case inaccessible formats are used.
4. Hypertext links. Use text that makes sense when read out of context. For
instance, do not use "click here."
5. Page organization. Use headings, lists, and consistent structure. Use CSS
for layout and style where possible.
6. Graphs & charts. Summarize or use the longdesc attribute.
7. Scripts, applets, & plug-ins. Provide alternative content in case active
features are inaccessible or unsupported.
8. Frames. Label with the title or name attribute.
9. Tables. Make line by line reading sensible. Summarize. Avoid using tables
for column layout.
10. Check your work. Validate the HTML. Use evaluation tools and text-only
browsers to verify accessibility.

At 10:16 AM 9/4/01 -0400, you wrote:
>I am looking for references that will help me build a case for using
>descriptive text for links instead of "click here for .....". I have
>several references within the accessibility literature but I was
>wondering if anyone can direct me to general web design books or
>articles that discourages the use of "click here".
>
>Thanks!
>
>--
>Cheryl Kirkpatrick
>Web Administrator/
>Information Technology Librarian
>South Carolina State Library
>http://www.state.sc.us/scsl/
>Telephone: 803.734.5831
>
>
>
>