Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# 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:

- Success Criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks)
  - How to Meet 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks)

## 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.

Note: Visible links are necessary for those navigating with a keyboard including 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.

## 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.

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

- Skip Navigation Links

## Related Techniques

- G123: Adding a link at the beginning of a block of repeated content to go to the end of the block
- G124: Adding links at the top of the page to each area of the content

## Tests

### Procedure

1. Check that a link is the first focusable control on the Web page.

2. Check that the description of the link communicates that it links to the main content.

3. Check that the link is either always visible or visible when it has keyboard focus.

4. Check that activating the link moves the focus to the main content.

5. Check that after activating the link, the keyboard focus has moved to the main content.

### Expected Results

- All checks above are true.

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