Uploads and Links are Appropriately Named

Links and uploaded files are often fundamental parts of web pages, acting as helpful access points for students. Links are like guides, leading people to new information both inside and outside of a web page. Uploaded files are the documents and materials you share with people. Making both of these accessible is all about making sure every individual can understand what these elements are for without needing any extra information. When your links and files are clear and well-organized, they create a smooth and efficient path for all visitors, especially those using assistive technology, to navigate and use your web page or course.

Relevant WCAG 2.2 Guidelines: 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context), 2.5.3: Label in Name

Main Considerations

Don't paste a full web address as a link. A screen reader will read out every single character, which is confusing and frustrating for the user.
Avoid using vague phrases like “click here” or “read more” as your link text. When a screen reader user listens to a list of a page's links, these generic labels offer no clues about where they're going.
Make sure that every link on your page has unique and meaningful text that describes its destination. This ensures all users can navigate the content effectively.
Give all uploaded files meaningful, descriptive names instead of generic names like "Document 1" or meaningless names like "TNTP_P4-2025.pdf"

Labeling Links and Uploads Effectively

Links

Ensuring links are accessible is crucial for all users, especially those with screen readers. To do this, always make your link text descriptive, as screen readers often list links out of their surrounding context. For example, instead of a generic "Click Here," use clear and specific language like "Read WOU's diversity initiatives." This helps users understand the purpose of the link and where it will take them without needing to read the entire paragraph.

In a similar vein, if you want to link to a website within a page, avoid pasting the entire URL directly into the content of your web page. Not only does this look messy, but screen readers will read out every single character of a URL, which is a frustrating and time-consuming experience for users. Instead, create a hyperlink within the page over a brief, descriptive text. For example, instead of pasting https://wou.edu/ctl/ simply write WOU Center for Teaching and Learning and hyperlink that text. This is a simple change that makes your course much more accessible and user-friendly.

Pro tip: When using links that direct to external websites, you will need to review the content of the destination for accessibility. To check accessibility of websites, try a checker like the WebAIM WAVE Accessibility Evaluation Tools (Browser plugin versions)

Uploads

In the same way that descriptive link text helps users, properly naming files that you upload to a page is also an important component of accessibility. For example, instead of naming a file Syllabus_Final_V2.pdf, a better name would be ENGL 101 Course Syllabus PDF. This is a small change but it helps visitors who are using screen readers and others who are navigating the course by file name alone.

Creating Descriptive Links

On a Webpage: Write a short phrase that clearly describes what visitors will access. Highlight the text, click the link icon in your webpage editor or CMS, and paste the full URL into the link field. Apply or “insert” the link. Check that the link text itself (not the raw URL) is visible and that it accurately reflects the destination.

In Canvas: Write a quick phrase that succinctly describes what the student will access. Highlight your text, click on link icon in toolbar menu, and select a link option (external link = URL, course link = links to Canvas element). If you choose the external link option, paste your URL in the Link box, and hit done. If you choose the course link option, select from the menu of items on the right panel that opens. For more information on linking to Canvas course content in Canvas, visit this page: Linking to Canvas Course Elements in Canvas

In Google Docs: Write a quick phrase that succinctly describes what the student will access. Highlight your text, click on link icon in toolbar menu, then paste in your URL into text box.

In Word: Write a quick phrase that succinctly describes what the student will access. Highlight your text, press Ctrl + K (for a PC) or Cmd + K (for a Mac), paste your URL, hit okay.