Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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H81: Identifying the purpose of a link in a nested list using link text combined with the parent list item under which the list is nested

Applicability

(X)HTML

This technique relates to:

Description

The objective of this technique is to describe the purpose of a link in a nested list from the context provided by the list item under which the list is nested. This list item provides context for an otherwise unclear link. The description lets a user distinguish this link from links in the Web page that lead to other destinations and helps the user determine whether to follow the link.

Note: Whenever possible, provide link text that identifies the purpose of the link without needing additional context.

Examples

Example 1: A document provided in three formats

<ul>
<li>Annual Report 2005-2006
  <ul> 
  <li><a href="annrep0506.html">(HTML)</a></li>
  <li><a href="annrep0506.pdf">(PDF)</a></li>
  <li><a href="annrep0506.rtf">(RTF)</a></li>
  </ul>
</li>
<li>Annual Report 2006-2007
  <ul> 
  <li><a href="annrep0607.html">(HTML)</a></li>
  <li><a href="annrep0607.pdf">(PDF)</a></li>
  <li><a href="annrep0607.rtf">(RTF)</a></li>
  </ul>
</li>
</ul>

Example 2: Blocks of information on hotels

The information for each hotel consists of the hotel name, a description and a series of links to a map, photos, directions, guest reviews and a booking form.

<ul>
<li><a href="royal_palm_hotel.html">Royal Palm Hotel</a>
  <ul class="horizontal">
<li><a href="royal_palm_hotel_map.html">Map</a></li>
<li><a href="royal_palm_hotel_photos.html">Photos</a></li>
<li><a href="hroyal_palm_hotel_directions.html">Directions</a></li>
<li><a href="royal_palm_hotel_reviews.html">Guest reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="royal_palm_hotel_book.html">Book now</a></li>
  </ul>
</li>
<li><a href="hotel_three_rivers.html">Hotel Three Rivers</a>
  <ul class="horizontal">
<li><a href="hotel_three_rivers_map.html">Map</a></li>
<li><a href="hotel_three_rivers_photos.html">Photos</a></li>
<li><a href="hotel_three_rivers_directions.html">Directions</a></li>
<li><a href="hotel_three_rivers_reviews.html">Guest reviews</a></li>
<li><a href="hotel_three_rivers_book.html">Book now</a></li>
  </ul>
</li>
</ul>

Resources

No resources available for this technique.

Tests

Procedure

For each link in the content that uses this technique:

  1. Find the ul or ol element that contains the link

  2. Check that this list element (ul, ol) is a descendant of an li element

  3. Check that the text of the link combined with the text of that li element describes the purpose of the link.

Expected Results