Navigation and site structure
Skip links
Web developers should provide a skip link that allows users to skip over repeated blocks of navigation to access the content of a page. This makes it easier for some users to bypass the navigation and go straight to the content, otherwise, those using screen readers or using handheld devices would have to listen or scroll to the content of the page each time they visit a new page. People who cannot use a mouse would have to press the tab key to get to section navigation or a form located within a page.
Site maps, indexes and search
For some disabled users, a site map or site index might provide a less confusing alternative to navigating your site. For others, a search form may provide an easier means to locate resources. For help setting up a search form on your page, please contact the university webmaster at webmaster@uark.edu.
Keyboard shortcuts
To assist users who navigate using the keyboard, a series of shortcut keys should be implemented in the Web sites. These shortcuts use the accesskey attribute to provide keyboard shortcuts for important navigation options. Be sure to list the accesskeys in an easy to find accessibility help page.
Note: accesskeys do not work reliably for all users. Some keys may be reserved by other programs that the user may be running. However, we should provide them as they may be of benefit to some users.
Frames
Framesets are a collection of two or more HTML documents loaded into individual frames to create the appearance of a single page. Frames are not recommended as they are hard to implement well.
If frames are used, ensure the title attribute provided for each frame set is meaningful. People using speech readers or text browsers rely on the title attribute of each frame set to assist in navigating the site.
The title attributes should be descriptive enough to enable users to identify the contents of a particular frame, understand how one frame relates to another, and navigate between the frames that comprise a page.
A noframes element must also be used. It must provide access to the site's content for those using browsers that are not capable of dealing with frames.
Image maps
Image maps are images with hotspots that act as links to other pages. Image maps are not recommended for navigation on any Web site. Where image maps are used, it is important to ensure the image map is client-side, its hotspots are at least 15 pixels squared and its hot spots have meaningful alt attributes.
Java applets and JavaScript
Do not use Java applets and JavaScript for navigation on any Web site.
