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Subject:RE: Use of ALT in web pages From:"Sherman, Bryan" <BSherman -at- synchrony -dot- net> To:"'TECHWR-L'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 2 Jun 2000 09:28:10 -0400
It deals with web Accessibility. The following is an excerpt:
1.1 Provide a text equivalent for every non-text element (e.g., via "alt",
"longdesc", or in element content). This includes: images, graphical
representations of text (including symbols), image map regions, animations
(e.g., animated GIFs), applets and programmatic objects, ascii art, frames,
scripts, images used as list bullets, spacers, graphical buttons, sounds
(played with or without user interaction), stand-alone audio files, audio
tracks of video, and video. [Priority 1]
For example, in HTML:
Use "alt" for the IMG, INPUT, and APPLET elements, or provide a text
equivalent in the content of the OBJECT and APPLET elements.
For complex content (e.g., a chart) where the "alt" text does not provide a
complete text equivalent, provide an additional description using, for
example, "longdesc" with IMG or FRAME, a link inside an OBJECT element, or a
description link.
For image maps, either use the "alt" attribute with AREA, or use the MAP
element with A elements (and other text) as content.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Murrell [mailto:trmurrell -at- yahoo -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 7:56 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Use of ALT in web pages
<snip>
Lately, I have taken to making the ALT string in my graphics more
descriptive
than the one or two word descriptions one usually sees. My thinking is that
if
someone is not downloading graphics or is visually impaired and using a
browser
that speaks the text, including ALT information, to them these users would
like
to have some actual description of the graphic they are not seeing.
Does that make sense? (I admit that it seems to to me.) Do others consider
what
kind of text they are providing with their graphics? Is there such a thing
as
too much in an ALT description?
