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JavaScript simulated link Accessibility Checkpoint

Description

This element uses JavaScript to behave like a link. Links like this cannot be tabbed to from the keyboard and are not read out when screen readers list the links on a page.

Help

Use an a or area element with a fallback link target in the href attribute, to ensure it receive keyboard focus and behaves like a link.

Applicable standards

  • WCAG 2.0 F42 (Success Criteria: 1.3.1 level A, 2.1.1 level A, 2.1.3 level AAA, 4.1.2 level A)
  • WCAG 2.1 F42 (Success Criteria: 1.3.1 level A, 2.1.1 level A, 2.1.3 level AAA, 4.1.2 level A)
  • Section 508 (2017) F42 (Success Criteria: 1.3.1 level A, 2.1.1 level A, 2.1.3 level AAA, 4.1.2 level A)

Note: Section 508 Refresh (2017) checkpoints are equivalent to WCAG 2.0 level A and level AA checkpoints.

Change history

  • 6.47 Dec 2022 Improved event handler detection.
  • 4.6 Feb 2012 Detect A and AREA elements with no HREF because they’re not focusable.
  • 4.6 Feb 2012 Now triggers Section 508 1194.22 (l).
  • 3.0 Dec 2008 Added.

This page describes a web site issue detected in HTML documents by SortSite Desktop and OnDemand Suite.

Rule ID: AccWcag2-F42-1