Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025
Please Stop Saying "Click Here"
In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we have a very simple request to improve digital accessibility across the University: Please Improve Your Web Links!
Step 1: Be Aware of Good Link Naming
Are you in the habit of placing web links on generic words, like "click here," "this website," or similar words? Please stop! For our community members who rely on screen readers to access information, this practice is frustrating, confusing, and not helpful.
Whether your links are in emails, websites, syllabi, or other documents, please only place links on descriptive terms that explain the purpose or destination of the link. This lets our community know what to expect when they select the link and where it is likely to take them.
Step 2: Learn How to Write Better Links
It's very easy to change your link writing habits. Follow this simple guideline: use active voice and place your web links on:
- Subjects (e.g., "Technology & Learning partners with Pepperdine faculty.")
- Direct Objects (e.g., "Google Workspace offers Google Drive for file storage, sharing, and collaboration.")
- Verb and Object Combinations (e.g., "Submit a tech support request to receive assistance with University technology.")
| Poor Link Version (Don't Do This!) | Good Link Version (Recommended Alternative) |
|---|---|
| To learn more about faculty digital accessibility, click here. | Learn more about faculty digital accessibility. |
| Go to this website for more information. | Visit Information Technology to learn more. |
| To register, use this link. | Interested? Go to the IT Training Calendar to sign up! |
| Use this form to submit your suggestions to IT. | Please submit your IT suggestions. |
Summary
With a few simple adjustments to how you create web links, we will help our community access and use our information more effectively. And remember, digital accessibility aligns directly with our University's mission and strategic initiatives. It is also required by law.
If you'd like to learn more, please review our Meaningful Links section of the Technology & Learning Faculty Digital Accessibility website. While targeted for our professors, this information can help anyone at Pepperdine create more accessible content for our community.
Thank you for making digital accessibility a priority in your teaching, research, and work at Pepperdine.