The SkipTo Script is a replacement for the old school “Skip To Main” link, (so please use it as such)! The SkipTo script creates a drop-down menu consisting of the links to important landmarks and headings on a given web page. Once installed and configured, the menu makes it easier for keyboard, voice recognition and screen reader users to quickly jump to the desired location by simply choosing it from the list of options.
Benefits of SkipTo
When the “Skip To Content” button is always visible there are benefits for all users and also helps authors understand the concepts of providing landmark regions and headings for navigating sections of a web page.
- All users can get an outline of the major content areas on the page.
- Screen reader users can get a higher level navigation menu without having to use the screen reader landmark and header navigation commands which typically include longer lists of lower level headings and less used landmarks.
- Keyboard only users can more efficiently navigate to content on a page.
- Speech recognition users can use the menu to more efficiently navigate to content on a page.
- Helps authors learn more about how to use landmark regions and headers on a page to improve navigation and orientation for everyone.
When the “Skip To Content” button is hidden when the page loads, most users will never even know the button and the associated navigation information is even available to them. When it is hidden it primarily only acts as a replacement for the typical popup “Skip To Main” link, benefiting primarily keyboard mostly users.
Give It A Try
- SkipTo is used in this website, and is the “Skip To Content” button on the top of the page.
- SkipTo information on installation and configuration.
Acknowledgements
This project is collaboration between the DRES Accessible IT Group in the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois and the accessibility team at PayPal.