When Should You Include Alt Text?
If your website has any images on it, then you must include alt text. Right before you can do so, though, you need to be aware of when you should include alt text and what that alt text should look like.
Going over those key facts and speaking with an ADA web accessibility lawyer will allow you to protect your business from an ADA web accessibility lawsuit.
What Is Alt Text?
The definition of “alt text” – or “alternative text” is text that is meant to convey the “why” of a particular image as it relates to the content of a specific webpage.
Just as an example, if you have a picture of a rainbow, then your alt text can clarify that the image seen on screen is a rainbow and that, in turn, it serves as a metaphor for a critical idea being conveyed on the page.
Why Is Alt Text Important?
Many of those who use and rely upon the internet cannot see. And, since they cannot see, they cannot understand or interact with the images displayed on your website.
Even though the above is true, it is of the utmost importance that you make sure that the images on your website can be understood by those who cannot see them. To do this, you must develop alt text for these images.
Developing alt text for the images on your website allows a screen reader – a device that many of those who are sight-impaired rely upon when using the internet – to read the alt text and, in doing so, to:
Clarify that there is an image on your website.
Clarify what this image is and what it contains.
Clarify the significance of this image.
Returning to the “rainbow” example outlined in the previous section, this image might serve as a metaphor for reaching a goal and finding a pot of gold after completing this goal.
If the above is true, then this fact must be clarified. But that’s not all: you must also clarify that the image being displayed is that of a multi-colored rainbow and that it serves as a metaphor for the goal-setting process that you are clarifying within the content on your website.
On the other hand, if alt text is not present, then those who are sight-impaired may not be able to see the images on your site, much less understand them or their relevance to the content.
When Should You Include Alt Text?
You should include alt text when you include one of the following on a page hosted within your website:
A decorative image that serves no other purpose other than to be ornamental.
A complex image with graphs and complex information displayed in a visual manner.
An informative image meant to clarify a critical point that is being conveyed.
A functional image that, perhaps, leads to another page or serves as a button.
A text image that consists of text and nothing but text.
To implement proper alt text for each image type, you should:
Create a null text that forces screen readers to disregard them.
Develop a text version of the graphs and information within the image.
Carefully outline and describe what is being conveyed in the image.
Outline the functionality of the image, such as what it does and why.
Put the text in your alt text for that particular text image.
If you can do the above, then the images on your website can and will be ADA-accessible.
Speak With A New York ADA Web Accessibility Lawyer Today
If you have images on your website, then you need to include alt text. Speak with a New York ADA web accessibility lawyer at The Samuel Law Firm today, and we will protect your business from an ADA web accessibility lawsuit.
