A state agency web page must use clear and consistent navigation mechanisms. Note: No testing is required for portalized agencies.

Rationale

A consistent style of presentation on each page allows users to locate important content and to skip navigation mechanisms, if desired. This not only helps users with learning disabilities, but also makes navigation easier for all users. Predictability will increase the likelihood that users will find information at a site or avoid it when they so desire.

Meaning

  • Users of the website must be able to identify at all times where they are on the site, even if they reached the current page directly by using a search engine.
  • A link to the home page, and preferably some kind of consistent site navigation, should be included on every page of the website.
  • Navigation mechanisms should appear in the same location and work the same way on every page of an agency website.
  • Agency web pages may provide links that allow people using assistive technology to skip repetitive navigational menus or other lengthy lists of links.

    Example:

    <a href="#skipnav" title="Skip to main content.">Skip to main content</a>
    ... [Navigational links] ...
    <a name="skipnav" id="skipnav">
    ... [Main page content] ...

Testing