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Thread: Visible Skip Nav Link
Number of posts in this thread: 16 (In chronological order)
From: Elle
Date: Wed, Feb 15 2012 4:42PM
Subject: Visible Skip Nav Link
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All:
I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project, that we
should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus) in our
header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could benefit
from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so wouldn't see
the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions for you
guys:
1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want this? I'll
go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted to get input
on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it to usability
testing soon, but the decision may become political before then (given that
it's precious real estate).
2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I think I'll
need evidence that it can be done well.
Much appreciated!
~Elle
From: Jennifer Sutton
Date: Wed, Feb 15 2012 5:15PM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Maybe this article will help.
Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
Jennifer
At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
>All:
>
>I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project, that we
>should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus) in our
>header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could benefit
>from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so wouldn't see
>the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions for you
>guys:
>
>
> 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want this? I'll
> go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted to get input
> on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it to usability
> testing soon, but the decision may become political before then
> (given that
> it's precious real estate).
>
> 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
> implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I think I'll
> need evidence that it can be done well.
>
>
>
>
>Much appreciated!
>~Elle
>
From: Elle
Date: Wed, Feb 15 2012 5:39PM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Thanks, Jennifer!
This is exactly the article that motivated me to make the business case.
Cheers,
Elle
On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:15 PM, Jennifer Sutton < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >wrote:
> Maybe this article will help.
>
> Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
> http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
>
> Jennifer
>
> At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
> >All:
> >
> >I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project, that we
> >should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus) in our
> >header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could
> benefit
> >from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so wouldn't see
> >the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions for you
> >guys:
> >
> >
> > 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want this?
> I'll
> > go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted to get
> input
> > on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it to
> usability
> > testing soon, but the decision may become political before then
> > (given that
> > it's precious real estate).
> >
> > 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
> > implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I think
> I'll
> > need evidence that it can be done well.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Much appreciated!
> >~Elle
> >
From: Vincent Young
Date: Wed, Feb 15 2012 9:06PM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
What could end up working out for both parties is an equal compromise. I
put together a quick example that tries to accomplish that:
http://webhipster.com/testing/accessibility/skip/index.html
I show the skip link when it is focused AND when the mouse moves on the
page. When the mouse stops moving or focus is moved off the link I hide it
again. If the skip link is activated, I don't show on mouse move anymore.
The highlight fades in, holds slightly, and fades out. As a visual user, I
would appreciate this user experience on any business page cluttered with
content from various interested parties.
Happy to answer any questions.
On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Elle < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> Thanks, Jennifer!
>
> This is exactly the article that motivated me to make the business case.
>
>
> Cheers,
> Elle
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:15 PM, Jennifer Sutton < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> >wrote:
>
> > Maybe this article will help.
> >
> > Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
> > http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
> >
> > Jennifer
> >
> > At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
> > >All:
> > >
> > >I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project, that
> we
> > >should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus) in
> our
> > >header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could
> > benefit
> > >from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so wouldn't see
> > >the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions for
> you
> > >guys:
> > >
> > >
> > > 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want this?
> > I'll
> > > go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted to get
> > input
> > > on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it to
> > usability
> > > testing soon, but the decision may become political before then
> > > (given that
> > > it's precious real estate).
> > >
> > > 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
> > > implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I think
> > I'll
> > > need evidence that it can be done well.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Much appreciated!
> > >~Elle
> > >
From: Elle
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 6:42AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
I'll present this to the UX team for them to see that it can be both
helpful and design-friendly. I really appreciate it. We're already planning
to use a visible link for mobile via responsive design, just trying to make
the case that it's good for mouse users on the main iteration of the site
as well.
Cheers,
Elle
On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:09 PM, Vincent Young < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >wrote:
> What could end up working out for both parties is an equal compromise. I
> put together a quick example that tries to accomplish that:
>
> http://webhipster.com/testing/accessibility/skip/index.html
>
> I show the skip link when it is focused AND when the mouse moves on the
> page. When the mouse stops moving or focus is moved off the link I hide it
> again. If the skip link is activated, I don't show on mouse move anymore.
> The highlight fades in, holds slightly, and fades out. As a visual user, I
> would appreciate this user experience on any business page cluttered with
> content from various interested parties.
>
> Happy to answer any questions.
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Elle < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
>
> > Thanks, Jennifer!
> >
> > This is exactly the article that motivated me to make the business case.
> >
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Elle
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:15 PM, Jennifer Sutton < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > Maybe this article will help.
> > >
> > > Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
> > > http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
> > >
> > > Jennifer
> > >
> > > At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
> > > >All:
> > > >
> > > >I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project, that
> > we
> > > >should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus) in
> > our
> > > >header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could
> > > benefit
> > > >from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so wouldn't
> see
> > > >the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions for
> > you
> > > >guys:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want
> this?
> > > I'll
> > > > go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted to
> get
> > > input
> > > > on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it to
> > > usability
> > > > testing soon, but the decision may become political before then
> > > > (given that
> > > > it's precious real estate).
> > > >
> > > > 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
> > > > implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I
> think
> > > I'll
> > > > need evidence that it can be done well.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >Much appreciated!
> > > >~Elle
> > > >
From: Sailesh Panchang
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 8:54AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Elle,
This is good and certainly enhances usability but cannot be a must to
meet purely 'accessibility' requirements. That article also suggests
the same.
Sailesh
On 2/16/12, Elle < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> I'll present this to the UX team for them to see that it can be both
> helpful and design-friendly. I really appreciate it. We're already planning
> to use a visible link for mobile via responsive design, just trying to make
> the case that it's good for mouse users on the main iteration of the site
> as well.
>
>
> Cheers,
> Elle
>
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:09 PM, Vincent Young
> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >wrote:
>
>> What could end up working out for both parties is an equal compromise. I
>> put together a quick example that tries to accomplish that:
>>
>> http://webhipster.com/testing/accessibility/skip/index.html
>>
>> I show the skip link when it is focused AND when the mouse moves on the
>> page. When the mouse stops moving or focus is moved off the link I hide
>> it
>> again. If the skip link is activated, I don't show on mouse move anymore.
>> The highlight fades in, holds slightly, and fades out. As a visual user,
>> I
>> would appreciate this user experience on any business page cluttered with
>> content from various interested parties.
>>
>> Happy to answer any questions.
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Elle < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
>>
>> > Thanks, Jennifer!
>> >
>> > This is exactly the article that motivated me to make the business case.
>> >
>> >
>> > Cheers,
>> > Elle
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:15 PM, Jennifer Sutton < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>> > >wrote:
>> >
>> > > Maybe this article will help.
>> > >
>> > > Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
>> > > http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
>> > >
>> > > Jennifer
>> > >
>> > > At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
>> > > >All:
>> > > >
>> > > >I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project,
>> > > > that
>> > we
>> > > >should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus)
>> > > > in
>> > our
>> > > >header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could
>> > > benefit
>> > > >from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so wouldn't
>> see
>> > > >the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions for
>> > you
>> > > >guys:
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > > 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want
>> this?
>> > > I'll
>> > > > go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted to
>> get
>> > > input
>> > > > on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it to
>> > > usability
>> > > > testing soon, but the decision may become political before then
>> > > > (given that
>> > > > it's precious real estate).
>> > > >
>> > > > 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
>> > > > implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I
>> think
>> > > I'll
>> > > > need evidence that it can be done well.
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >Much appreciated!
>> > > >~Elle
>> > > >
From: Jared Smith
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 9:36AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
The arguments against a visible "skip" links are that most sighted
users don't know what they do, they intrude significantly on visual
design (by their nature, they have to be at the top of the page and
visually apparent), and they provide very little utility for mouse
users. There's little that can be done to overcome these arguments.
The arguments against a hidden "skip" link are that sighted
keyboard-only users may not know that it is there or they might
quickly 'tab' past it. I think these can readily be overcome. I have a
very simple demo that uses basic CSS3 transitions to animate the
"skip" link into view when it receives keyboard focus. See
http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm It is very visually apparent,
difficult to miss even if you are navigating quickly, and could be
styled to fit right into the visual design.
In short, no, I don't think visible "skip" links are a battle worth fighting.
Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
distracting and could render navigation of the page impossible for
users with high distractability.
Jared
From: deborah.kaplan@suberic.net
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 9:42AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
On Thu, 16 Feb 2012, Jared Smith wrote:
> See http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm
Jared -- that page doesn't seem to work on Opera 11. I see from looking at the code that you are using "-o-transition", which Opera claims to support; is this something for which we will just need to wait for CSS three improvements in Opera? Or is there a problem with the page?
Thanks,
-Deborah
From: Elle
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 9:48AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Tim:
Terrill pointed out that low vision users may benefit, and that they often
use a mouse to navigate.
http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
Cheers,
Elle
On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:42 AM, Tim Arnold < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> >
> >
> > >
> > > On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:09 PM, Vincent Young
> > > < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >wrote:
> > >
> > >> What could end up working out for both parties is an equal compromise.
> > I
> > >> put together a quick example that tries to accomplish that:
> > >>
> > >> http://webhipster.com/testing/accessibility/skip/index.html
> > >>
> > >> I show the skip link when it is focused AND when the mouse moves on
> the
> > >> page. When the mouse stops moving or focus is moved off the link I
> hide
> > >> it
> > >> again. If the skip link is activated, I don't show on mouse move
> > anymore.
> > >> The highlight fades in, holds slightly, and fades out. As a visual
> > user,
> > >> I
> > >> would appreciate this user experience on any business page cluttered
> > with
> > >> content from various interested parties.
> > >>
> > >> Happy to answer any questions.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Elle < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > Thanks, Jennifer!
> > >> >
> > >> > This is exactly the article that motivated me to make the business
> > case.
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > Cheers,
> > >> > Elle
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:15 PM, Jennifer Sutton <
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> > >> > >wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > > Maybe this article will help.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
> > >> > > http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Jennifer
> > >> > >
> > >> > > At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
> > >> > > >All:
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project,
> > >> > > > that
> > >> > we
> > >> > > >should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible
> onfocus)
> > >> > > > in
> > >> > our
> > >> > > >header, because it was my understanding that low vision users
> could
> > >> > > benefit
> > >> > > >from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so
> > wouldn't
> > >> see
> > >> > > >the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions
> > for
> > >> > you
> > >> > > >guys:
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want
> > >> this?
> > >> > > I'll
> > >> > > > go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted
> > to
> > >> get
> > >> > > input
> > >> > > > on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it
> > to
> > >> > > usability
> > >> > > > testing soon, but the decision may become political before
> then
> > >> > > > (given that
> > >> > > > it's precious real estate).
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
> > >> > > > implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case,
> I
> > >> think
> > >> > > I'll
> > >> > > > need evidence that it can be done well.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >Much appreciated!
> > >> > > >~Elle
> >
>
> I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer,
> but I'm missing the use case where making a skipnav appear on mouseover is
> helpful. I use skipnavs that become visible on tab for users who may be
> navigating either by voice or keyboard but who cannot use a mouse, but who
> are we serving that can use a mouse to hover over a skipnav link but cannot
> also scroll down the page.
>
> We are talking about a sighted user (can see the skipnav appear) who is
> using a mouse (is capable of hovering their pointer) but still needs to be
> able to click a link in order to anchor down to nav or main content?
>
> Best,
> Tim
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
From: Tim Arnold
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 9:54AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
>
>
> >
> > On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 11:09 PM, Vincent Young
> > < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >wrote:
> >
> >> What could end up working out for both parties is an equal compromise.
> I
> >> put together a quick example that tries to accomplish that:
> >>
> >> http://webhipster.com/testing/accessibility/skip/index.html
> >>
> >> I show the skip link when it is focused AND when the mouse moves on the
> >> page. When the mouse stops moving or focus is moved off the link I hide
> >> it
> >> again. If the skip link is activated, I don't show on mouse move
> anymore.
> >> The highlight fades in, holds slightly, and fades out. As a visual
> user,
> >> I
> >> would appreciate this user experience on any business page cluttered
> with
> >> content from various interested parties.
> >>
> >> Happy to answer any questions.
> >>
> >>
> >> On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Elle < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> >>
> >> > Thanks, Jennifer!
> >> >
> >> > This is exactly the article that motivated me to make the business
> case.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > Cheers,
> >> > Elle
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Wed, Feb 15, 2012 at 7:15 PM, Jennifer Sutton < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> >> > >wrote:
> >> >
> >> > > Maybe this article will help.
> >> > >
> >> > > Back to Basics: Skip to Main Content Links | Terrill Thompson
> >> > > http://terrillthompson.com/blog/161
> >> > >
> >> > > Jennifer
> >> > >
> >> > > At 03:44 PM 2/15/2012, you wrote:
> >> > > >All:
> >> > > >
> >> > > >I'm trying to make the case, during our massive redesign project,
> >> > > > that
> >> > we
> >> > > >should provide a visible skip nav link (instead of visible onfocus)
> >> > > > in
> >> > our
> >> > > >header, because it was my understanding that low vision users could
> >> > > benefit
> >> > > >from a skip nav link and they are primarily mouse users (so
> wouldn't
> >> see
> >> > > >the link if it was hidden on initial page load). A few questions
> for
> >> > you
> >> > > >guys:
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > > 1. Is this a win worth fighting for? Do low vision users want
> >> this?
> >> > > I'll
> >> > > > go to bat for anything that benefits users, but I just wanted
> to
> >> get
> >> > > input
> >> > > > on whether it was truly beneficial. I am planning to take it
> to
> >> > > usability
> >> > > > testing soon, but the decision may become political before then
> >> > > > (given that
> >> > > > it's precious real estate).
> >> > > >
> >> > > > 2. Does anyone have examples of elegant and design-centric
> >> > > > implementations of a visible skip nav link? To win the case, I
> >> think
> >> > > I'll
> >> > > > need evidence that it can be done well.
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > >
> >> > > >Much appreciated!
> >> > > >~Elle
>
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer,
but I'm missing the use case where making a skipnav appear on mouseover is
helpful. I use skipnavs that become visible on tab for users who may be
navigating either by voice or keyboard but who cannot use a mouse, but who
are we serving that can use a mouse to hover over a skipnav link but cannot
also scroll down the page.
We are talking about a sighted user (can see the skipnav appear) who is
using a mouse (is capable of hovering their pointer) but still needs to be
able to click a link in order to anchor down to nav or main content?
Best,
Tim
--
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
From: Elle
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:00AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Everyone:
I really appreciate all the feedback. This redesign is an opportunity for
accessibility "in a perfect world" best practices to come to life, so I
didn't want to overlook a possible win if it really added something for
users. As I have many battles yet to face, I think I'll use this as a
chance to demonstrate how very reasonable I am.
Jared, I appreciate the code samples for further improving the experience.
Cheers,
Elle
On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Jared Smith < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> The arguments against a visible "skip" links are that most sighted
> users don't know what they do, they intrude significantly on visual
> design (by their nature, they have to be at the top of the page and
> visually apparent), and they provide very little utility for mouse
> users. There's little that can be done to overcome these arguments.
>
> The arguments against a hidden "skip" link are that sighted
> keyboard-only users may not know that it is there or they might
> quickly 'tab' past it. I think these can readily be overcome. I have a
> very simple demo that uses basic CSS3 transitions to animate the
> "skip" link into view when it receives keyboard focus. See
> http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm It is very visually apparent,
> difficult to miss even if you are navigating quickly, and could be
> styled to fit right into the visual design.
>
> In short, no, I don't think visible "skip" links are a battle worth
> fighting.
>
> Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
> distracting and could render navigation of the page impossible for
> users with high distractability.
>
> Jared
>
From: Jared Smith
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:27AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 9:45 AM, < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> On Thu, 16 Feb 2012, Jared Smith wrote:
>> See http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm
>
> Jared -- that page doesn't seem to work on Opera 11. I see from looking at the code that you are using "-o-transition", which Opera claims to support; is this something for which we will just need to wait for CSS three improvements in Opera? Or is there a problem with the page?
It is working mostly correctly (the transition back off the page is
not working for some reason) in my version of Opera 11. In order for
this to work, you need to enable single key shortcuts (Settings >
Preferences > Advanced > Shortcuts and check the box marked "Enable
single-key shortcuts"). Then press Q and A keys to navigate through
links. If you use the standard SHIFT + arrows, focus is not actually
set to the links in Opera, so the "skip" link cannot receive focus and
thus cannot transition into view.
While it used to be the best browser by far for keyboard navigation,
Opera's keyboard keyboard support has gone weird lately. I don't know
that a keyboard-only user would want to use Opera.
Jared
From: deborah.kaplan@suberic.net
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:33AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Ah, thank you -- I was trying to use tab, ala Firefox. Yes, that works.
> While it used to be the best browser by far for keyboard navigation,
> Opera's keyboard keyboard support has gone weird lately. I don't know
> that a keyboard-only user would want to use Opera.
Agreed. This keyboard-only user uses a combination of Firefox and Opera, because for the places where I am an Opera power user with its single key shortcuts it is still often better than Firefox. But every Opera revision and every Firefox revision, Firefox gets better for keyboard-only and Opera gets worse.
It's disappointing, because I know how many of the people at Opera care passionately about accessibility.
-Deborah
From: Bourne, Sarah (ITD)
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 10:45AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
Elle,
Mass.Gov used the visible "skip to main" link on our recent design refresh. The business case was that it was useful for touch device users, and that there was no harm in including for any form factor. The longer story is that we analyzed a gazillion sites, came to a consensus on the requirements, and gave them to the designer, along with all of our other requirements. The designer included it into the design, and we received no complaints about it ("clutter" or otherwise) from the other stakeholders.
Hawaii also has a visible one: http://portal.ehawaii.gov/index.html as does https://www.disability.gov/
sb
Sarah E. Bourne
Director of Assistive Technology &
Mass.Gov Chief Technology Strategist
Information Technology Division
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1 Ashburton Pl. rm 1601 Boston MA 02108
617-626-4502
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
http://www.mass.gov/itd
-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Elle
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 11:45 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Visible Skip Nav Link
Everyone:
I really appreciate all the feedback. This redesign is an opportunity for accessibility "in a perfect world" best practices to come to life, so I didn't want to overlook a possible win if it really added something for users. As I have many battles yet to face, I think I'll use this as a chance to demonstrate how very reasonable I am.
Jared, I appreciate the code samples for further improving the experience.
Cheers,
Elle
On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Jared Smith < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> The arguments against a visible "skip" links are that most sighted
> users don't know what they do, they intrude significantly on visual
> design (by their nature, they have to be at the top of the page and
> visually apparent), and they provide very little utility for mouse
> users. There's little that can be done to overcome these arguments.
>
> The arguments against a hidden "skip" link are that sighted
> keyboard-only users may not know that it is there or they might
> quickly 'tab' past it. I think these can readily be overcome. I have a
> very simple demo that uses basic CSS3 transitions to animate the
> "skip" link into view when it receives keyboard focus. See
> http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm It is very visually apparent,
> difficult to miss even if you are navigating quickly, and could be
> styled to fit right into the visual design.
>
> In short, no, I don't think visible "skip" links are a battle worth
> fighting.
>
> Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
> distracting and could render navigation of the page impossible for
> users with high distractability.
>
> Jared
>
From: Vincent Young
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 11:18AM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | Next message →
@Jared
> Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
distracting
This was a quick example I put together to showcase the existence of
alternatives. In reality, I'm I'd probably come up with something
different. The main points are:
1. Visible skip links can increase usability (Terrill Thompson makes this
case)
2. Clients (typically big business) often have many interested parties
3. A permanent visible skip link is not always possible as a result of #2
4. There might be alternatives (which I was exploring)
> could render navigation of the page impossible for
> users with high distractability.
Maybe, but I would do some user testing first before coming to this
conclusion. This is where the close button could be useful.
When thinking through this I was really thinking more of something along
the lines of a "Enhance Main Content" for visual users, where the UI
drastically changes (tastefully) to bring just the main content into view
(not just scroll/highlight) as many browser add-on tools out there do. If
I have time I'll put together a more thoughtful example.
@Ellen
No problem. I'm familiar with the position you are in so it was a good
exercise for me.
On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 9:43 AM, Bourne, Sarah (ITD) <
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> Elle,
>
> Mass.Gov used the visible "skip to main" link on our recent design
> refresh. The business case was that it was useful for touch device users,
> and that there was no harm in including for any form factor. The longer
> story is that we analyzed a gazillion sites, came to a consensus on the
> requirements, and gave them to the designer, along with all of our other
> requirements. The designer included it into the design, and we received no
> complaints about it ("clutter" or otherwise) from the other stakeholders.
>
> Hawaii also has a visible one: http://portal.ehawaii.gov/index.html as
> does https://www.disability.gov/
>
> sb
>
> Sarah E. Bourne
> Director of Assistive Technology &
> Mass.Gov Chief Technology Strategist
> Information Technology Division
> Commonwealth of Massachusetts
> 1 Ashburton Pl. rm 1601 Boston MA 02108
> 617-626-4502
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> http://www.mass.gov/itd
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = [mailto:
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Elle
> Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 11:45 AM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Visible Skip Nav Link
>
> Everyone:
>
> I really appreciate all the feedback. This redesign is an opportunity for
> accessibility "in a perfect world" best practices to come to life, so I
> didn't want to overlook a possible win if it really added something for
> users. As I have many battles yet to face, I think I'll use this as a
> chance to demonstrate how very reasonable I am.
>
> Jared, I appreciate the code samples for further improving the experience.
>
>
> Cheers,
> Elle
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Jared Smith < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
>
> > The arguments against a visible "skip" links are that most sighted
> > users don't know what they do, they intrude significantly on visual
> > design (by their nature, they have to be at the top of the page and
> > visually apparent), and they provide very little utility for mouse
> > users. There's little that can be done to overcome these arguments.
> >
> > The arguments against a hidden "skip" link are that sighted
> > keyboard-only users may not know that it is there or they might
> > quickly 'tab' past it. I think these can readily be overcome. I have a
> > very simple demo that uses basic CSS3 transitions to animate the
> > "skip" link into view when it receives keyboard focus. See
> > http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm It is very visually apparent,
> > difficult to miss even if you are navigating quickly, and could be
> > styled to fit right into the visual design.
> >
> > In short, no, I don't think visible "skip" links are a battle worth
> > fighting.
> >
> > Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
> > distracting and could render navigation of the page impossible for
> > users with high distractability.
> >
> > Jared
> >
From: Ryan E. Benson
Date: Thu, Feb 16 2012 5:39PM
Subject: Re: Visible Skip Nav Link
← Previous message | No next message
> Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
> distracting and could render navigation of the page impossible for
> users with high distractability.
I agree about this. I also had issues with figuring out where I was,
"am I on the link now?" I sometimes have issues to get <abbr>'s to
expand for me while using ZoomText and JAWS.
@Jared, can you add a few more links to your skip link group? I am
curious to see if it will be a little distracting too, or too much
shiney objects for a skip link.
--
Ryan E. Benson
On Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 11:38 AM, Jared Smith < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> The arguments against a visible "skip" links are that most sighted
> users don't know what they do, they intrude significantly on visual
> design (by their nature, they have to be at the top of the page and
> visually apparent), and they provide very little utility for mouse
> users. There's little that can be done to overcome these arguments.
>
> The arguments against a hidden "skip" link are that sighted
> keyboard-only users may not know that it is there or they might
> quickly 'tab' past it. I think these can readily be overcome. I have a
> very simple demo that uses basic CSS3 transitions to animate the
> "skip" link into view when it receives keyboard focus. See
> http://webaim.org/temp/skipcss3.htm It is very visually apparent,
> difficult to miss even if you are navigating quickly, and could be
> styled to fit right into the visual design.
>
> In short, no, I don't think visible "skip" links are a battle worth fighting.
>
> Vincent's example where it pops into view when the mouse moves is very
> distracting and could render navigation of the page impossible for
> users with high distractability.
>
> Jared
>