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Accessible Skip Link Implementation

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  • June 30, 2025

Accessible Skip Link Implementation

Rule ID: skip-link
Ruleset: axe-core 4.10
User Impact: Moderate
Guidelines: Deque Best Practice

How to Fix the Problem

To ensure accessible navigation for keyboard and screen reader users, your webpage should include a properly implemented “skip to content” link at the top of the page. Here’s how:

1. Insert a Skip Link Early in the Document

Place the skip navigation link directly after the opening <body> tag. The link should point to the main content container (e.g., an element with id="content").

html
<div id="skip">
<a href="#content">Skip to main content</a>
</div>

2. Avoid Common CSS Mistakes

Do not use any of the following to hide the link:

  • display: none;

  • visibility: hidden;

  • Positioning it offscreen without making it reappear on focus.

These make the skip link unusable for keyboard-only users and sighted users who rely on it.

3. Use Accessible CSS Techniques

Use CSS to keep the skip link hidden until it’s focused (typically via the Tab key):

css
#skip a {
display: block;
position: absolute;
left: -999px;
top: -999px;
}#skip a:focus {
left: 0;
top: 0;
padding: 3px;
background: #ffc;
border: 1px solid #990000;
}

This ensures the link appears visibly when tabbed to and remains accessible without cluttering the layout for users who don’t need it.

4. Support WebKit Browsers

WebKit browsers like Safari and Chrome have a known issue with internal anchor links. You may need to add a JavaScript workaround. Refer to Deque’s tutorial on skip navigation links for implementation details.

5. Optional: Add Multiple Skip Links

Depending on the complexity of your layout, you may want to include multiple skip links to allow users to bypass other repetitive elements such as sidebars or banners.

Why it Matters

For keyboard and screen reader users, navigating through all header and menu elements before reaching the main content can be tedious and time-consuming. A skip link improves the usability of the page by allowing users to quickly move to the primary content.

This is especially crucial for:

  • Blind users relying on screen readers

  • Keyboard-only users

  • Users with mobility impairments who avoid mouse interaction

It aligns with inclusive design principles and enhances overall accessibility.

Rule Description

A skip link is an HTML anchor link placed at the beginning of the page that allows users to jump directly to the main content, bypassing navigation menus and other repetitive page elements. It should be the first interactive element on the page.

The Algorithm (in Simple Terms)

  1. Check that a link exists as the first element inside the <body>.

  2. Confirm it points to a valid and focusable id (like #main, #content).

  3. Ensure it is styled to be visible when focused.

  4. Ensure it is not hidden in a way that makes it inaccessible to keyboard users.

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