[Athen] question about links - underlining

[skeegan at htctu.net]

Hi Alice,


> What are your thoughts about 'links' on this page...


I would suggest that your hyperlinks remained underlined and non-hyperlinked
text should *not* be underlined.

One of the Web standards of Section 508, 1194.22 (c) says:
"Web pages shall be designed so that all information conveyed with color is also
available without color, for example from context or markup."
http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm#(c)

and the W3C has a similar sounding checkpoint that reads:
"Ensure that all information conveyed with color is also available without
color, for example from context or markup." - WCAG Checkpoint 2.1
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/full-checklist.html

While it may "look cool" from a design standpoint to just have color represent
the hyperlink on a Web page, this is both an accessibility and usability issue.
 Not all users (e.g., low-vision, color-blind, etc.) may be able to distinguish
between the hyperlinked text color and non-hyperlinked text color.  The
simplest and most consistent approach to addressing this issue is to maintain
the underline for the hyperlinked text.  Additionally, at this point in the
existence of the Web, most users are conditioned to clicking on underlined text
regardless of color (which is why I recommend not underlining non-hyperlinked
text).

Now, if the designer wishes to make the hyperlink "look" different when the user
clicks on the text, hovers, or to show a visited link, then that is fine.  Many
websites designers code the page so that the underline is removed when the
hyperlinked text receives focus (either from hovering with the mouse or from
tabbing to the link).  Not a problem to do that and is very simple with CSS. 
The accessibility violation is when you use color alone to represent
information - and the existence of text that is also a hyperlink is a vital
piece of information when navigating a Web page.

Hope this helps,
Sean


Quoting Alice Anderson <akander1 at wisc.edu>:


> All,

> What are your thoughts about 'links' on this page...we're having an

> ongoing discussion/debate in my world about

> red/green colorblind, and using red as links without underlining. At

> one point, I received an email from a color blind

> individual saying 'unless you underline, I won't be able to see

> them'....

>

> all comments and thoughts - to the list, or me individually,

> appreciated,

> thanks,

> alice

>

> On May 25, 2006, at 8:25 PM, Berkowitz, Daniel J wrote:

>

> > How about something explaining how all of the members are good

> > looking and smart as whips!

> >

> > OK -- better than that -- talk up the ATHEN track of programs and

> > make mention of the networking and social opportunities. Networking

> > can be facilitated by marking our nametags with something (a big

> > red 'A' or a grecian column or some such). We all know that one

> > night of the conference we will be have an ATHEN night out for

> > dinner and drinks.

> >

> >

> > =========================

> > Daniel Berkowitz - Assistant Director

> > Boston University Office of Disability Services

> > 19 Deerfield Street, 2nd floor

> > Boston, MA 02215

> >

> > (617) 353-3658 (office)

> > (617) 353-9646 (fax)

> > djbrky at bu.edu <mailto:djbrky at bu.edu>  (eMail)

> > www.bu.edu/disability

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> > From: athen-bounces at athenpro.org on behalf of Howard Kramer

> > Sent: Thu 5/25/2006 3:14 PM

> > To: athen at athenpro.org

> > Subject: [Athen] ATHEN text for AHG 2006 registration form

> >

> >

> > Hello All:

> >

> > Here is the text I was planning to put on the Accessing Higher

> > Ground registration form explaining ATHEN. It comes directly from

> > the Web site.

> >

> > Access Technologists Higher Education Network (ATHEN)

> > ATHEN is a professional association and network for Access

> > Technologists in Higher Education. The purpose of ATHEN is to

> > collect and disseminate best practices in access technology in the

> > higher education environment as well as present a collective voice

> > for the professional practice of access technology in higher

> > education. For more information on ATHEN membership and its

> > benefits, see the web site at: www.athenpro.org

> >

> > <http://www.athenpro.org/> Also, I only posted the option for

> > Professional Membership due to space limitations. Should the other

> > memberships be mentioned or will folks probably pick that up by

> > going to the ATHEN Pro Web site. Any thought on a specific blurb on

> > the Web site indicating the benefits of membership?

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Howard

> >

> >

> >

> > Howard Kramer

> > Assistive Technology Lab Coordinator

> > AT Conference Coordinator

> > Disability Services

> > CU-Boulder, 107 UCB

> > Boulder, Co  80309

> > 303-492-8672

> >

> >

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>

>               Alice Anderson

> Technology Accessibility Program (TAP)

> Division of Information Technology (DoIT)

>       University of Wisconsin-Madison

>       1210 West Dayton Street (3324)

>               Madison, WI 53705

> http://www.doit.wisc.edu/accessibility/

>            Telephone: 608.262.2129

>               Fax: 608.265.6453

>                     -----------------

> "Believe there is a great power

> silently working all things for good,

> behave yourself and never mind the rest."

>                   ~~Beatrix Potter~~

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