Re: Are links should underline all the time?

Hi Kiran,

The aim is to make sure that anyone realises that a link is a link. The use of a different colour is not enough as some people are colour blind (can be in different spectrums). Some people are in poor lighting conditions (e.g. sun shinning on the screen), and some may be using a monochrome monitor.

The standard practice is to underline links in a text area, but there are other ways such as adding a link icon (box with arrow pointing out).

Their are times when the context of the link/s makes it clear that they are links, even without underlining. For example menu bars and buttons. But otherwise some textual indication is required.

Hope that helps

Richard

Richard Warren
Technical Manager
Website Auding Ltd
www.userite.com



From: Kiran 
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2017 7:46 PM
To: w3c WAI List 
Subject: Are links should underline all the time?

Hey All,

I need expert advice in learning and more clarifying the concept of WCAG 1.4.1 Link treatment.

As per https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/F73.html , if links do not have underline or other visual cues will it be a failure?

so If I have added a link in the paragraph where body text is black while the link within this paragraph is blue ( enough CCR), will that be a failure to WCAG 1.4.1 if I don't provide underline to this link? 


So does that mean, links should always be underlined in a paragraph or in a sentence?

I was under the assumption that if links have a different color, plus it shows underline(or any visual clue) on hover/focus, should be okay and passes WCAG 1.4.1.

https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/F73.html


I appreciate your opinion in clearing my confusion on this.

Thank you.