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

[Mike Brown]

Kathy> Anyone have any good naming conventions for the alt text on graphic buttons?
Kathy> I'm specifically concerned with screen readers being able to convey that the
Kathy> image is a button, and thus "function-y" vs an image which is just for
Kathy> visual interest.

My understanding is that screen readers will indicate that a link (for
example) is a link. So it might say, "Link" and then read the alt
text. As Brenda said, make the alt text exactly the same as the button
text. Adding that it's a link in the alt text will be redundant and
likely to annoy those using screen readers, who will get told it's a
link twice!

For alt text for images which are "just for visual interest", there's
a couple of possibilities. If the image *is* purely "eye-candy" use ""
for the alt text. Screen readers will ignore this and not say
anything, but giving an alt tag will help in validating the page. If
the image is important for the page, and I guess you make that
decision on a case by case basis, use alt tags as a short, alternative
description for the image, title tags to give more detailed
information, and, if you're really keen, use long description for the
image.

 
Regards

Mike Brown
SIGNIFY :: the logic behind

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