To determine a link's purpose when the link text is generic, which elements support determinations?

• A. Link text, accessible name, accessible description, and/or programmatically determined link context.
• B. Link text only.
• C. Link color alone.
• D. Font style alone.

Answer: (D)

When the visible link text is generic, you determine its purpose by looking at accessibility signals that describe the element beyond the words you see. The most important are the accessible name, any accessible description, and the programmatic context provided by the markup. The accessible name is what assistive technologies read as the link’s label and can come from the element’s text, an aria-label, or an aria-labelledby reference. If there’s an accessible description (aria-describedby), it adds extra detail about what the link does. The surrounding context—such as where the link sits in the document, what section or landmark it’s inside, or what nearby labels indicate (for example, a nearby “Download” header or a list of actions)—also helps convey intent to users who rely on assistive tech. Presentational details like font style or color do not reliably communicate function to screen readers and shouldn’t be used to determine a link’s purpose. So, the best guidance is to use the combination of the link’s accessible name, any accessible description, and the programmatic context to understand what the link does.