Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# H60: Using the link element to link to a glossary

## Applicability

HTML and XHTML

This technique relates to:

- Success Criterion 3.1.3 (Unusual Words)
  - How to Meet 3.1.3 (Unusual Words)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 3.1.3 (Unusual Words)
- Success Criterion 3.1.4 (Abbreviations)
  - How to Meet 3.1.4 (Abbreviations)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 3.1.4 (Abbreviations)

## User Agent and Assistive Technology Support Notes

Some user agents provide an optional navigation bar which will display the information specified in the `link` element. Current versions of the Mozilla and Opera browsers provide this functionality. IE 6.0 and Firefox 1.5 do not offer this feature but it may be available through extensions or add-ons. See The 'link'-Element in (X)HTML for more information on browser support for the `link` element.

## Description

The objective of this technique is to provide a mechanism for locating a glossary. When terms in the content are defined on a separate glossary page, the glossary is referenced using a `link` element in the `head` element of the document that uses the glossary. The `rel` attribute of the `link` element is set to "glossary", and the `href` attribute contains the URI of the glossary page. User agents can then assist users in accessing the glossary quickly and easily.

## Examples

### Example 1: The WCAG 2.0 Glossary.

Example Code:

     <link rel="glossary" href="http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#glossary">

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

- HTML 4.01 LINK element

- HTML 4.01 link types

- Use <link>s in your document from W3C's Quality Web Tips

- LINK - Document Relationship from Web Design Group

## Related Techniques

(none currently listed)

## Tests

### Procedure

For any set of words and their definitions that are meant to serve as a glossary:

1. Check that the `head` section of the Web page that contains words, phrases or abbreviations defined in a glossary contains a `link` element

2. Check that the `link` element has attribute `rel="glossary"`

3. Check that the `href` attribute of the `link` element refers to the glossary page.

### Expected Results

- All checks above are true.

Note: The definition of abbreviation used in WCAG is : "shortened form of a word, phrase, or name where the original expansion has not been rejected by the organization that it refers to and where the abbreviation has not become part of the language."

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