How do I remove the disable advanced features link for screen readers?

The upgrade/patch from an earlier version of Academus 2.0 to Academus 2.0.8, will probably result in a link appearing with the following text:

Screen Reader users should click here to disable advanced features not supported by screen readers.

This link was added to provide a better experience for users navigating Academus through the assistance of a screen reader. It is briefly described in the Academus 2.0.8 release notes under Screen Reader.

Academus for some time has provided an advanced feature called CSCR. This feature is an early AJAX-like implementation that allows channel content to be updated without refreshing the whole portal page. It was instituted to improve portal performance and the normal user experience. Its design requires the use of a frameset which is invisible to normal browser users, but becomes more apparent to the users of screen readers. Although this technology may still function for users of screen readers, it requires that they switch between frames. This results in a poor user experience.

This problem was solved in Academus 2.0.8 by providing a link for users of screen readers to turn off CSCR for that session. It allows them to stay in a single frame and not have to switch between them. The default skin that ships with Academus 2.0.8 includes CSS styling which removes the link from the view of normal browser users, while remaining readable to screen readers.

If your institution received Academus 2.0.8 as an upgrade/patch from a previous version of Academus 2.0, your custom skin will probably not have the necessary CSS styling to make the link invisible to the normal browser.

It is simple to patch your skin with this behavior, if desired. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Locate main.css

   This file is located with your institution's skin, probably at: portal\media\net\unicon\academusTheme\academus\css

2. Make a backup copy of main.css

   In case, you need to restore the old skin.

3. Replace the lines of code that look like this:
   

         .hide {
   display: none;
   }
      

   with these line of code:

         .hide {
   position: absolute;
   left: -10000px;
   }
      

4. Save the file
5. Clear your browser cache, and refresh the page

This additional styling will technically move the link 10,000 pixels off the screen to the left of the browser view port. This has the effect of not being seen by normal browsers. However, it is still in the page flow and read normally by screen readers, which don't care about the elements location on the x-axis.

Other styling options are certainly possible, but this is the recommended one to remain unseen by most users who will probably appreciate the advanced features of CSCR, while being available for those users of screen readers to improve their overall user experience with the portal.