It is easy to overlook hyperlinks in accessibility reviews because they usually feel like a content detail, not a structural one. Then Word flags a link that says "click here," and suddenly you are learning that even ordinary resource links can create accessibility problems. The core issue is context. A screen reader user may navigate links as a list, and a list full of "click here" and "read more" tells them almost nothing.
Why Link Text Matters
Sighted readers often understand vague links because they can see the surrounding sentence. Assistive technology does not always present links that way. If a student hears only "click here," they have no clue whether the destination is tutoring resources, a grading rubric, a campus policy page, or something else entirely. Descriptive link text helps a student understand both the destination and the purpose without having to guess.
Real Example
Compare "Click here for tutoring resources" with "Visit the Student Tutoring Resources page." In ordinary prose, both may seem acceptable. Out of context, only the second one actually tells the user where the link goes. That small rewrite does not make the document sound more legal or formal. It just makes it more usable.
What Good Hyperlinks Usually Do
Accessible link text usually names the destination, the function, or both. It should sound natural in a sentence while still making sense on its own. The goal is not to make every link long. The goal is to make the wording meaningful enough that a student does not lose information when the surrounding sentence disappears.
Workflow
Find all hyperlinks in the document and read them as if they were pulled into a standalone list. Replace vague phrases such as "click here," "read more," and "this link" with wording that describes the destination or action. Then run Word's accessibility checker and, if you want a broader review, use AdaDocumentMaker to catch any remaining issues in the file.
FAQ
Why is "click here" a problem?
Because it has almost no meaning when read out of context.
What should link text say instead?
It should describe the destination, the purpose, or both.
Does this matter in syllabi?
Yes, especially when the syllabus points students to support services, policies, or required resources.
Can Word flag link issues?
Sometimes, yes, though it is still worth reviewing the links yourself.
A Practical Place to Start
If your syllabus contains "click here" style links or resource links you have never reviewed for accessibility, upload the file to AdaDocumentMaker and use the report as a second check after cleaning up the wording.