3.16 Provide information about documents comprising multiple pages
Contents
WAI Checkpoint 13.9
Full WAI text: "Provide information about document collections (i.e., documents comprising multiple pages)." "Documents" is a definition that includes websites, reports, brochures, manuals, proposals, guidelines, etc., which have more than one page. A group of related documents is a document collection.
Provide an explanation of the relationship between documents in a document collection by including page numbers, chapter numbers, tables of contents, etc.
Rationale
This facilitates online or offline browsing and reading of documents. Users who connect to the web through a domestic connection do not like to read long documents online because of the cost of the connection. Users with reading difficulties may need more time to read through documents and they will also appreciate the cost savings introduced by downloading documents and reading them offline.
Users can navigate through document collections more efficiently and effectively if they understand how they are organised.
Directions and Techniques
Use the LINK element and link types
This HTML tag describes document navigation mechanisms and organisation. Some user agents may synthesize navigation tools or allow ordered printing of a set of documents based on such mark up. See WAI recommended techniques on using the LINK element
Create bundled document collections with a compression application
An application which compresses files can be used to make document file sizes smaller which will increase download speeds. Zip files are an example of compressed files. Ensure that whatever format you provide files in can be readily opened without the user having to download additional plug-ins or expensive software.
How you could check for this:
There are no specific test methods recommended for this guideline.
Guidelines for Web Accessibility - Priority 3- 3.1 Ensure that text and background have sufficient contrast for people with colour deficient vision
- 3.2 Provide text links to emulate client-side image maps
- 3.3 Expand the first occurrence of any abbreviation or acronym
- 3.4 Identify the primary language of the document text
- 3.5 Place distinguishing information at the beginning of headings, paragraphs, lists, etc.
- 3.6 Supplement text with graphic or auditory presentations where they will facilitate comprehension
- 3.7 Provide summaries for tables
- 3.8 Provide abbreviations for table header labels
- 3.9 Identify groups of related links and provide a way to bypass them
- 3.10 Provide a linear alternative for parallel, word-wrapped columns of text
- 3.11 Create a logical tab order through links, form controls, and objects
- 3.12 Provide keyboard shortcuts to important links, form controls, and groups of form controls
- 3.13 Separate adjacent links with non-link, printable characters surrounded by spaces
- 3.14 Provide navigation bars
- 3.15 If search functions are provided, enable different types of searches for different skill levels and preferences
- 3.16 Provide information about documents comprising multiple pages
- 3.17 Provide a means to skip over multi-line ASCII art
- 3.18 Create a style of presentation that is consistent across pages
- 3.19 Include default text in form text boxes
- 3.20 Provide information to enable users to receive documents according to their preferences
