[Sigia-l] 508 Compliance - Alt Tags for Button Images

[brendaj at interaccess.com]

Writing a button label that conveys the target of the link and the consequences of clicking on it... that's the goal of all button labels we create, visible or not.  So writing an alt tag that differs from the label on the button is not necessary.  

As I said before, if the label itself is not intuitive for blind readers using assistive technology, it's not going to be intuitive for your sighted users either -- you need to write a better one.  And, after you do, write an alt tag that matches it exactly.

When it comes to assistive devices, being "succinct" in alternative text is just as important as being meaningful.  



----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Miller <amiller at humanfactors.edu.au>
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 2:40 pm
Subject: RE: [Sigia-l] 508 Compliance - Alt Tags for Button Images

> As a general principle link actions and consequences. You need to tell
> people what the action is and what will happen as a consequence of the
> action - not necessarily in that order. For example 'To send your 
> order for
> processing, use the ctrl+e keys' (or what ever action you need 
> users to
> perform)
> 
> Anne Miller
> Coordinator
> Human Factors Online
> Key Centre for Human Factors
> University of Queensland
> http://www.humanfactors.uq.edu.au
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sigia-l-admin at asis.org [sigia-l-admin at asis.org]On Behalf Of
> Kathy LeMunyon
> Sent: Wednesday, 1 October 2003 7:15 AM
> To: 'sigia-l at asis.org'
> Subject: [Sigia-l] 508 Compliance - Alt Tags for Button Images
> 
> 
> Anyone have any good naming conventions for the alt text on 
> graphic buttons?
> I'm specifically concerned with screen readers being able to 
> convey that the
> image is a button, and thus "function-y" vs an image which is just for
> visual interest.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Kathy LeMunyon
> Senior Information Architect
> Rare Medium Atlanta
> P 770-576-4290
> F 770-576-4100
> 
> ------------
> When replying, please *trim your post* as much as possible.
> *Plain text, please; NO Attachments
> 
> Searchable list archive:   http://www.info-arch.org/lists/sigia-l/
> ________________________________________
> Sigia-l mailing list -- post to: Sigia-l at asis.org
> Changes to subscription: 
> http://mail.asis.org/mailman/listinfo/sigia-l
> 
> ------------
> When replying, please *trim your post* as much as possible.
> *Plain text, please; NO Attachments
> 
> Searchable list archive:   http://www.info-arch.org/lists/sigia-l/
> ________________________________________
> Sigia-l mailing list -- post to: Sigia-l at asis.org
> Changes to subscription: 
> http://mail.asis.org/mailman/listinfo/sigia-l
>