RE: Using numbered list element for navigation bars

Hello Richard,

 

Using HTML list structure with CSS can be very useful for navigation bars,
simulated menus and tree views. It can be very helpful to indicate the
level of information such as sub-menus or sub-navigation items that are
normally identified visually by space or positioning of text. 

 

Regards,

Jason Megginson

 

  _____  

From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On
Behalf Of Richard Warren
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 10:41 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Using numbered list element for navigation bars

 

We came across a website that used the numbered list element <ol> for its
navigation bars (numbers hidden by CSS). It was really useful for our
blind colleague who was able to identify how many links in the bar,
whereabouts he was within the bar and, more easily remember where the
useful links were. There was no difference to visual users

 

I can't see any disadvantages to using the numbered list element for
navigation bars and wonder if it should be a recommendation to improve
accessibility for blind users - i.e. does it really help all users of
screen readers or will some people find it annoying?

 

Richard Warren

Userite

http://www.userite.com