Hyperlinks in Canvas

Descriptive Hyperlinks

Properly formatted hyperlinks help students scan for important information and identify outside resources. When a screen reader identifies a hyperlink, it states that it is a link, so it is best to avoid using link or link to in your hyperlinked text.

Screen readers are also able to make a links list which allows users to listen to the list of available links on a page and navigate directly to a desired link rather than listening to the entire page, line-by-line. However, a links list is only helpful when link text is descriptive. For example, news sites often only displays a teaser for articles followed by a hyperlink to "Read More". This is doubly problematic for screen reader users. First, "Read More" provides no context to aid in understanding the link. Second, this problem magnifies when there are multiple "Read More" links on a page thus making the 'Links List' a long list of "Read Mores". 

Formatting Hyperlinks

Rules to follow:

• Identify the purpose/function of the hyperlink as part of the link name.
• Be as descriptively possible without being overly long. Screen reader users must listen to full link before moving to the next one on the list.
• Integrate the link into your sentence-- in doing so, sighted students will see the link and screen readers will identify it.

Another important consideration is whether or not a hyperlink should open in a new window. If you are linking to a resource outside of the course, the link should open in a new window. All in-course hyperlinks to other course pages, activities, or assignments should remain in the same window.