You install WP Accessibility to improve accessibility. Skip links work on desktop. On mobile, skip links are hidden. That is frustrating because mobile users need accessibility too.
A common issue is that your theme hides elements with CSS like .screen-reader-text. Skip links use this class. Theme hides it. Plugin is not broken. Theme CSS is too aggressive.
Why Skip Links Disappear on Mobile
WP Accessibility adds skip links using standard WordPress accessibility classes like .screen-reader-text. These classes are meant to visually hide text but keep it accessible to screen readers. Some themes override these classes and set display:none instead of position:absolute. display:none hides from everyone, including screen readers. Skip links vanish.
This is not WP Accessibility being bad. Theme CSS is breaking accessibility standards.
The Most Common Skip Link Disappearances
- Theme sets .screen-reader-text to display:none
- Theme uses visibility:hidden on skip links
- Mobile-specific CSS hides skip links on small screens
- Cache plugin serves desktop CSS to mobile
- Another plugin overrides accessibility styles
Check theme CSS first.
How to Fix Hidden Skip Links
- Go to Appearance → Customize → Additional CSS
- Add this CSS:
.screen-reader-text {
position: absolute !important;
left: -9999px !important;
width: 1px !important;
height: 1px !important;
overflow: hidden !important;
}
.screen-reader-text:focus {
position: static !important;
width: auto !important;
height: auto !important;
overflow: visible !important;
background: #fff !important;
padding: 10px !important;
}
This restores proper screen reader behavior.
How to Test Skip Links
Tab key on keyboard. Press Tab repeatedly. Skip link should appear when you Tab to it. On desktop and mobile (with external keyboard). If skip link appears on Tab, it works. If never appears, CSS is still broken.
Skip links are for keyboard users, not mouse users.
Alternative: Disable WP Accessibility Skip Links
If CSS fix does not work, disable skip links in WP Accessibility settings. Use your theme’s built-in skip links (many themes have them). Or add skip links manually to theme files.
WP Accessibility → Settings → Disable “Add skip links.”
People Also Ask About WP Accessibility Skip Links
Why are my skip links not showing on mobile?
Theme CSS hides .screen-reader-text. Add custom CSS to restore.
Should I stop using WP Accessibility?
No. Fix CSS. Accessibility is important.
Is WP Accessibility worse than One Click Accessibility?
Both have same issue with aggressive theme CSS. Fix CSS for either.
Final Thoughts
If WP Accessibility hides skip links on mobile, add custom CSS to restore .screen-reader-text styles. Skip links will work for all users on all devices.