Accessible Course Navigation

Ever clicked on a “click here” link and ended up somewhere totally unexpected? Not the best experience, right? That’s exactly why the WCAG 2.1 guidelines stress the importance of using descriptive link text. It’s all about letting people know where a link will take them before they click it.

Descriptive Link Text

Instead of vague prompts like “click here” or “read more,” try to give your links some context. For example, “Explore our collection of vintage cars” tells you exactly what to expect on the other side of that click. It’s like giving your readers a map before they embark on the journey. This clarity isn’t just about being polite; it’s crucial for accessibility. Screen readers rely on link text to help users navigate, so descriptive links can make a huge difference for users with visual impairments.

The idea is simple: the purpose of each link should be clear from the link text itself or from the text immediately surrounding it. This doesn’t apply when the destination is meant to be a surprise or is inherently ambiguous, but those cases are the exception, not the rule.

Here’s a pro tip: if you’re not sure whether your link text is descriptive enough, read it out of context and ask yourself if you can guess where it leads. If you can, you’re on the right track. If not, it might be time for a tweak.

In a nutshell, think of your link text as mini-invitations to your readers, offering them a clear idea of what they’re about to see. It’s a small change that can make your content more navigable, accessible, and user-friendly. So next time you’re adding links to your content, take a moment to make them as descriptive and inviting as possible. Your readers (and their screen readers) will thank you!

Consistent Navigation

Diving into navigation on your course site, think of it as setting up the most user-friendly road system for your students. The goal? To make getting around as intuitive and hassle-free as driving down a well-organized street. Let’s break down how you can create this smooth ride:

Keep It Predictable: Just like your favorite coffee shop that always has your order ready, your course navigation should feel familiar and reassuring. Stick to a layout that’s not just logical but also consistent across all pages. This means your menus, links, and buttons are exactly where students expect them to be, every time. It’s all about creating a sense of reliability in your course’s digital landscape.

Accessibility “Above the Fold”: Ever heard the old newspaper term “above the fold”? It’s about putting the important stuff where people see it first. For your course, this means placing the most frequently used links in the sidebar right where students can see them without scrolling. It’s like keeping your essentials — Modules, Zoom, Announcements — in the top drawer.

Consistent Navigation: Imagine if road signs changed their location and design on every street. Confusing, right? That’s why your navigation elements (like links and buttons) need to stay in the same relative order across your course. This consistency is the bread and butter of intuitive navigation. It ensures that students can focus on learning, not on figuring out how to get from point A to point B.

Uniformity in Design: Just as you wouldn’t change the design of traffic lights for each intersection, keep the design and functionality of similar components uniform across your course. If a button takes students to the next lesson, it should look and operate the same way throughout the course. Consistency is key to building confidence and ease of use.

Watch the following video for a brief overview of the Carmen Sidebar and Course Navigation.

Video (5 minutes, 21 seconds)

Resources

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