Getting Navigation right the first time - Details
[Why]
[How]
Most sites use navigation bars or menus to list common hypertext links and provide quick access to all parts of the Web site. These menus should be consistent, understandable, and easy to use. They should also be unobtrusive to students who use screen readers and/or the keyboard to navigate.
Why
Inconsistent and confusing menus make it difficult for students to navigate. Screen reader users have to listen repeatedly to navigation links on every page before hearing the content.
If done right, students who use screen readers or the keyboard to navigate can skip over repetitive navigation links and jump directly to the main content.
How
Include a menu, or a link to the main menu, on every page. Also include a link to the Home page. Ensure navigation links are consistent from page to page and match the titles of the pages to which they link Include a skip navigation or jump to content link at the top of every page, by firstly:creating an anchor at the beginning of the main content (after all the navigation links)
For example
<a name="content">Consistent Navigation</a>
then, creating a hyperlink at the very top of the page (before any of the navigation links) that links to the anchor.
For example
<a href="#content">Skip Navigation</a>
Some developers prefer to provide invisible skip navigation links as they feel it may intrude on page design, however, whilst this benefits blind users, it does not benefit people with mobility impairments who use the keyboard to navigate.