More and more, digital accessibility has become a major talking point when browsing the web. One of the key components that improve accessibility for users with disabilities is something many users might not even notice: skip links.

These simple yet powerful tools can make a huge difference in the web experience for individuals relying on keyboard-only interaction, screen readers, or other assistive technologies. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of skip links, their technical mechanics, and how you can implement them effectively on your website.

What Are Skip Links and Why Are They Important?

Skip links are navigational links that allow users to skip over repetitive content such as headers, navigation menus, or other elements they’ve already seen. For users relying on assistive technologies like screen readers, keyboard navigation, or switch devices, skip links enable them to jump directly to the main content of the page.

When navigating a website using a keyboard (by pressing the Tab key), users typically encounter all of the page’s links and elements in a set order. This often means they have to cycle through the same menus, headers, and other repetitive content every time they visit a new page or reload an existing one. Skip links solve this problem by providing an easy way to bypass these elements, saving time and frustration for those who need alternative navigation methods.

For example, imagine you’re using a screen reader to navigate a website. Without skip links, you might be forced to listen to the same navigation menu and header over and over again, even though you’re only trying to get to the main body of the page. Skip links allow you to bypass this content, going straight to the part of the page you want.

The Key Benefits of Skip Links

Improved Navigation for Keyboard-Only Users

Many people with disabilities, including those with limited mobility or dexterity, use keyboards or alternative input devices to navigate the web. Skip links let users quickly navigate to the main content, bypassing headers, footers, and menus that they may have already accessed.

Enhanced Experience for Screen Reader Users

Screen readers announce every element on a webpage in the order they are tabbed through. Without skip links, users would have to hear the same menus and links repeatedly, making navigation time-consuming and tedious. Skip links streamline the experience by providing a shortcut to the main content.

Better Usability for Assistive Technologies

Skip links are a simple yet effective tool that benefits various assistive technologies, enhancing the overall usability of your website for a wide range of users.

Increased Accessibility Compliance

Many countries and regions have laws requiring websites to be accessible. For example, in the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that websites must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Implementing skip links helps ensure your website is compliant with accessibility guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

How Do Skip Links Work?

Skip links work by creating a link that, when activated, allows the user to bypass parts of the webpage and move directly to a more relevant section. These links are typically placed at the top of the page, visible only when the user navigates using the keyboard (by pressing the Tab key). The link itself usually says something like “Skip to main content,” “Skip to navigation,” or “Skip to footer,” depending on which section the user wants to bypass.

The Technical Mechanics of Skip Links

To create a skip link, you use basic HTML along with some helpful attributes to control the behavior and accessibility of the link. Here’s an overview of the technical aspects of skip links:

HTML Structure with <a href> Tags

The primary way to implement skip links is with the <a> (anchor) tag, which creates hyperlinks. These links should point to specific elements within the webpage, often with id attributes to mark the sections users can skip to.

tabindex Attribute

The tabindex attribute is used to control the tab order of elements. By default, links and form controls are included in the tab order. However, for skip links to work properly, they need to be made focusable before other content is tabbed through.

aria-label and aria-hidden Attributes

The aria-label attribute can be used to provide screen readers with a more descriptive label for the skip link. For example, you can use it to define a more readable label like “Skip to main content,” ensuring that screen readers announce the skip link’s purpose clearly. On the other hand, the aria-hidden attribute can be used to hide elements from assistive technologies when needed.

A Simple Skip Link Example

Here’s a simple HTML example of a skip link that allows users to skip directly to the main content of a webpage:

<a href="#main-content" class="skip-link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Skip to main content">Skip to main content</a>
<header>
<nav> <!-- Navigation Links --> </nav>
</header>
<main id="main-content">
<h1>Welcome to Our Website</h1>
<p>This is the main content of the page...</p>
</main>

In this example:

• The skip link (<a href="#main-content">) is placed at the top of the page and links to the main-content section identified by the id="main-content".
• The tabindex="0" ensures that the skip link is focusable and can be reached when using the Tab key.
• The aria-label="Skip to main content" helps screen reader users understand what the link does.

Styling Skip Links

While skip links are crucial for accessibility, they’re not always visually appealing by default. To make skip links blend in with your design, you’ll likely want to hide them until they’re needed and style them for better usability. Here’s how you can style skip links using CSS:

.skip-link {
position: absolute;
top: -40px; /* Hide the link off-screen */
left: 0;
background-color: #000;
color: #fff;
padding: 10px;
z-index: 100;
}
.skip-link:focus {
top: 10px; /* Bring the link into view when focused */
}

In this example:

• The .skip-link class hides the skip link off-screen with top: -40px until it’s needed.
• When the link is focused (i.e., when the user tabs to it), it becomes visible by setting top: 10px.
• You can customize the background color, text color, padding, and positioning to match your website’s design.

JavaScript for Enhanced Skip Link Functionality

In some cases, you may want to enhance the behavior of your skip link using JavaScript. For example, you might want to automatically focus the main content once the skip link is activated. Here’s how you can do that:

document.querySelector('.skip-link').addEventListener('click', function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
document.querySelector('#main-content').focus();
});

This script listens for a click on the skip link and prevents the default action (i.e., jumping to the href target). Instead, it uses JavaScript to focus on the main content section, making it even easier for users to access.

Testing Skip Links for Accessibility

Once you’ve implemented skip links, it’s essential to test them to ensure they’re working as expected. Here are a few key tips for testing your skip links:

1. Keyboard Navigation: Use the Tab key to cycle through the elements on your page. Ensure the skip link is the first item that can be focused and that it jumps you to the main content.
2. Screen Reader Testing: Test your skip links with a screen reader (such as NVDA or VoiceOver) to ensure the skip links are announced correctly and work as expected.
3. Cross-Browser Compatibility: Make sure your skip links work across different browsers and devices. Some older browsers might have quirks that affect the behavior of tabindex or CSS styling, so testing across multiple platforms is critical.
4. Accessibility Tools: Use automated accessibility tools like Lighthouse to check for accessibility issues on your website. These tools can help identify missing or misused attributes related to skip links.

Challenges with Skip Links

While skip links are an essential tool for accessibility, there are some challenges you might encounter when implementing them:

• Browser Inconsistencies: Different browsers and devices may render skip links or handle focus management differently. It’s important to test across various platforms to ensure consistent behavior.
• Visibility and Styling: Skip links should be visible when needed but unobtrusive when not. Ensuring they are easily accessible but don’t clutter the design can require some careful styling.
• Managing Focus Order: If your page has dynamic content (like modals or sticky headers), you may need to adjust the focus order or ensure that skip links still work as expected when these elements are present.

Skip Ahead to Success

Skip links are a simple but vital tool in improving the accessibility of your website. They help keyboard-only users, screen reader users, and others navigate your site more efficiently by skipping over repetitive content and jumping straight to the main sections of the page. By implementing skip links with proper HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you can enhance the user experience for a wider audience, making your site more inclusive and accessible.

If you’re ready to make your website ADA-compliant and accessible to everyone, schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. Our team of experts will walk you through the process, address any questions, and help you create an inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly web experience. Don’t wait—take the first step toward a more accessible digital presence today.