Effective page structure and navigation are fundamental to digital accessibility. They provide critical orientation and mobility for users of assistive technology, particularly those who are blind or have motor disabilities. Key components include:
Keyboard and Focus : All site functionality must be operable via the keyboard alone. This is a foundational requirement, as it supports users who cannot operate a mouse. Proper focus management ensures that keyboard users can visually track their location on the page as they navigate.Skip Navigation Link : A "skip to main content" link, placed at the top of the page, is an essential efficiency tool. It allows users to bypass repetitive navigation blocks (like the site header and main menu) and immediately access the page's primary content.HTML Landmarks : Programmatic landmarks, created by using semantic HTML5 elements like <header>, <nav>, <main>, and <footer>, define the structural regions of a page. Screen readers use these landmarks to create a page outline, enabling users to quickly understand the layout and jump directly to a specific section. This practice also provides a secondary benefit by improving Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
University IT
