In order to create a more inclusive and accessible web experience, it is important to pay attention to the way links are designed and presented. Link text that is discernible, unique, and focusable can greatly improve the navigation experience for screen reader users. In this article, we will discuss why this matters and how to fix any accessibility issues related to link elements.

Link elements are a fundamental component of any website, and inaccessible links can pose significant barriers to accessibility. Users who rely exclusively on a keyboard to navigate a webpage, without the use of a mouse, can only interact with links that can receive programmatic focus. If a link cannot receive programmatic focus, it becomes inaccessible to these users.

Just like sighted users, screen reader users also need to know where a link is pointing. Inner link text provides this information, but it will not be useful if a screen reader cannot access it. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that all link names are accessible and visible to screen readers. This means avoiding duplicate link labels and making sure that the link is focusable.

Keyboard users, including visually impaired screen reader users or individuals who cannot use a mouse, can only activate links and form elements that can receive programmatic focus. Any events that are exclusively activated by other types of focus, such as “onmouseover” events that depend on mouse hover focus, are inaccessible to keyboard users. By default, only links and form elements receive keyboard focus. However, it is possible to modify elements that are not links or form components to receive focus by adding the “tabindex=’0′” attribute.

To fix any accessibility issues related to link elements, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that all link names are accessible and visible to screen readers. Make sure that the inner link text is not hidden or obscured in any way.

2. Check for any duplicate link labels. Each link on a webpage should have a unique label that accurately describes its destination.

3. Verify that all links can receive programmatic focus. Avoid using device-specific events like “onmouseover” that may prevent keyboard users from interacting with the link.

By implementing these fixes, you can greatly improve the navigation experience for screen reader users and make your website more inclusive and accessible to all users.

In conclusion, link text that is discernible, unique, and focusable plays a crucial role in improving the navigation experience for screen reader users. By ensuring that link names are accessible, visible, and can receive programmatic focus, you can remove barriers to accessibility and create a more inclusive web environment for all users.