There are multiple ways to add hyperlinks to digital media. The easiest is to just copy and paste the hyperlink from the address bar into your document (email, etc.). However, this is one of the least accessible methods to use! Instead, the hyperlink should be embedded into text that describes the hyperlink’s purpose or where it leads\u2014this creates a “descriptive link,” and it’s the most accessible way to share hyperlinks in digital media.<\/p>\n\n\n There are descriptive links in both Level 1: Making a Start<\/b> and Level 2: Refining Your Approach<\/b>, after the paragraphs of prose. These links are highly stylized, so they may look different from the descriptive links you’ll create in your own media, but the concept is the same: you can tell where each link leads, or the purpose of each link, based on its reader-facing text.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n As mentioned above, hyperlinks need a little more attention than merely being copied and pasted directly into digital media. These “naked links” are cumbersome for screen readers (imagine having to read the entire hyperlink out loud before moving on in the sentence\u2014not a lot of fun!) and create visual clutter that can be distracting for sighted readers. Instead, you’ll want to embed the hyperlink in descriptive text. Easy, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another common issue we often see is links labeled “link,” “read,” “listen,” etc. When we talk about descriptive links, we’re specifically talking about embedding links in text that describes where the links are going (not just the fact that there’s a link). Partly, this helps screen reader users, who can pull up a list of all links on a page. If every link is labeled “link” (etc.), it’s harder to determine where each link leads. This also helps reduce cognitive load for all readers, since they know what to expect when clicking each link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use the links below to learn how to create descriptive links across a variety of software.<\/p>\n\n\nApplying the Concept<\/h2>\n
The How<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Level 1: Making a Start<\/h3>\n\n\n\n