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Thread: Shortened URLs and screenreaders
Number of posts in this thread: 7 (In chronological order)
From: Natalie Jean
Date: Wed, Apr 22 2015 12:14PM
Subject: Shortened URLs and screenreaders
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Hi,
I am interested in hearing perspectives about what the accessibility issues are for screenreaders when urls are shortened through sites like https://bitly.com/. Any suggestions for alternatives?
Thanks!
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From: Steven M. Sawczyn
Date: Wed, Apr 22 2015 12:21PM
Subject: Re: Shortened URLs and screen readers
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I don't see any issues with this, assuming that the link still has context. By itself, shortening a link doesn't introduce issues for screen readers.
Steve
From: Moore,Michael (DARS)
Date: Wed, Apr 22 2015 12:33PM
Subject: Re: Shortened URLs and screen readers
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The link text should describe the destination of the link. In general using urls is not very helpful. For example "Web AIM Screen Reader Simulation" is easier to understand than http://webaim.org/simulations/screenreader or http://bit.ly/1PjiKmF
However if using twitter on a mobile device The following would be clear "Cool screen reader simulation at this url http://bit.ly/1PjiKmF" and would meet the requirement to have the destination of the link be understandable in context.
Mike Moore
Accessibility Coordinator,
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
(512) 424-4159 (Office)
(512) 574-0091 (Cell)
From: Jared Smith
Date: Wed, Apr 22 2015 12:43PM
Subject: Re: Shortened URLs and screenreaders
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As has been noted, there's no accessibility implications I'm aware of
for shortened links, so long as it does an instant redirect and is not
displaying the resulting site in a frame.
Relevant to this discussion is http://weba.im/, an accessible URL
shortening service that we developed here at WebAIM.
Jared
From: Natalie Jean
Date: Thu, Apr 23 2015 6:11AM
Subject: Re: Shortened URLs and screenreaders
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Jared, there are no restrictions on who can use this service, I assume. Am I correct?
From: Natalie Jean
Date: Thu, Apr 23 2015 8:56AM
Subject: Re: FW: Shortened URLs and screenreaders
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By "service" I mean the URL shortening tool. My impression is that anyone can use it since the following is stated at the bottom of the page: Provided as a community service by WebAIM. Am I correct?
From: Jared Smith
Date: Thu, Apr 23 2015 10:32AM
Subject: Re: FW: Shortened URLs and screenreaders
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Yes, the weba.im URL shortening service is public and open to anyone
to use freely.
Jared
On Thu, Apr 23, 2015 at 8:56 AM, Natalie Jean < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> By "service" I mean the URL shortening tool. My impression is that anyone can use it since the following is stated at the bottom of the page: Provided as a community service by WebAIM. Am I correct?
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