DES 4.1 For all images, specify alternative text to convey equivalent information

When images are unavailable (e.g. Turned off or because the user may have a visual impairment), equivalent information must be supplied.

It is your responsibility as the designer to specify to the developer what the alternative should be.

  • Specify alternative text (also known as 'alt' text) for every image.
  • Alt text should serve the same purpose and convey thesame meaning as the image:
    • Purely decorative - specify NULL alt text or alt="" (no spaces);
    • Image links - use the destination or function.
  • Avoid adding extra meaningless alt text:
    • "image of...", "this is an image of...";
    • "link to...", "this is a link to...".

Tip: Pretend to read the page out over the phone. What does each image have to say to give the same meaning? - Use that as the alt text.

A decorative corner - alt should be NULL (quote quote - no space) NOT fancy corner etc.  Image of a symbol with alt text 'email us' not a description of the symbol. Image of a house with correct alt text Home page NOT picture of house
Poor: An important paragraph of text with alt text just = important notice. It should have the full text  If using images as bullet points then use a * as the alt text (but avoid doing this by coding them as lists!