Technique G1:Adding a link at the top of each page that goes directly to the main content area
Applicability
All technologies that contain links
This technique relates to 2.4.1: Bypass Blocks (Sufficient when used with Creating links to skip blocks of repeated material using
one of the following techniques:).
Description
The objective of this technique is to provide a mechanism to bypass blocks of material
that are repeated on multiple Web pages by skipping directly to the main content of
the Web page. The first interactive item in the Web page is a link to the beginning
of the main content. Activating the link sets focus beyond the other content to the
main content. This technique is most useful when a Web page has one main content area,
rather than a set of content areas that are equally important, and when there are
not multiple navigation sections on the page.
It is preferable for links to be visible at all times, since users navigating via
the keyboard include switch users, those using techniques that generate keyboard strokes
slowly, screen magnification software users, screen reader users working with sighted
colleagues, keyboard only users and those navigating using voice recognition software.
However, Success Criterion 2.4.1 does not require that they be visible when they do not have focus, and links that
are visible only when they have focus can meet this success criterion.
Examples
Example 1: An online newspaper
An on-line newspaper contains many sections of information: a search function, a corporate
banner, sidebars, minor stories, how to contact the newspaper, etc. The lead story
is located in the middle of the page. The first link that the user reaches when tabbing
through the page is titled "Skip to Lead Story". Activating the link moves visual
focus to the story. Pressing tab again takes the user to the first link in the main
story.
Example 2: A "Skip to main content" link
A Web page includes a variety of navigation techniques on each page: a bread crumb
trail, a search tool, a site map, and a list of related resources. The first link
on the page is titled "Skip to Main Content". A user activates the link to skip over
the navigation tools.