|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
The real power of an HTML document is its ability to link directly to other documents. Hypertext is a text link, either to another document or to a different location in the current page. The accessibility concern of hypertext is that most auditory web browsers keep a list of links on a page for a user to browse, or a user will TAB from link to link. If the hypertext cannot be understood out of context it is no good. For example, don't use "Click here" as link text but use something descriptive of the link like "STCC Homepage". Be careful not to use too much text for your link, simple and descriptive works best. It is also recommended that you do not have any links which load or refresh automatically as this can be very disorienting to a user depending on a history list.
Chances are a site will have links other than those within the text. Commonly used links should be placed prominently and consistently on all pages. Predictable navigation elements allow users to quickly get around the site and find exactly what they are looking for. These navigation tools should be described and a complete site map page can be very helpful for any user.
It is to a designer's great advantage to clearly define the structure of documents within a project before deciding what the presentation style will be. This makes a site easier to manage, move and it helps enhnance accessibility. Sketching an outline is an effective way to indetify which elements are structural and which are presentational. A raw outline will include only structural changes such as headings, chapters and paragraphs. If the designer properly marks up those structural elements in HTML by properly using the HEADING, BLOCKQUOTE and LIST tags the page is much easier to navigate, especially in a non-graphical browser. It is important not to misuse these tags for layout or font design as that can be very confusing for some users.
Keep it clear, simple and consistent and everyone will get more out of your site.
Prior Page | Contents | Next Page | Home | Links
Email List | Publications | Resources | News & Events | About the ICT Center | Search | Home
Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those
of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Science Foundation.
 This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DUE 0302548. |
Copyright August 2004 STCC Foundation Press All rights reserved. E-Mail the Webmaster with your comments. |
 Springfield Technical Community College |
The ICT Center c/o STCC, One Armory Square, PO Box 9000, Suite 1, Springfield, MA 01102-9000
(413) 755-6550 (phone) | (413) 755-6325 (fax)