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

[Thomas Vander Wal]

In addition to the excellent advice and resources given.  It is also a good
idea to list what the button/image says in the alt tag.  This is because
folks providing assistance to a user often will direct users to go to the
"send info" button, etc.

All the best,
Thomas

http://www.vanderwal.net

On 9/30/03 5:23 PM, "Whitney Quesenbery" <wq2 at sufficiently.com> wrote:

> Put a verb in the alt text - in other words, use the alt text to say what
> happens when you press the button, not a description of the image.
> 
> After all, the image is for visual recognition of the function, and this is
> a chance to put it in words. Remember that people not using screen readers
> will see the alt text (in most browsers) if they hover, or if they are not
> displaying graphics.
> 
> You might look on Section508.gov or in the accessibility section of
> usability.gov for writing guidelines. The folks at usability.gov are also
> involved in the work to create clear language in documents and have some
> good document design and writing guidelines.
> 
> W.
> 
> At 05:15 PM 9/30/2003 -0400, Kathy LeMunyon wrote:
>> 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
> 
> 
> Whitney Quesenbery
> Whitney Interactive Design, LLC
> w. www.WQusability.com
> e. whitneyq at wqusability.com
> p. 908-638-5467

>