Images are a benefit for most
users, particularly for those with
strongly visual thinking preferences,
those from different language backgrounds
or those with print
disabilities. The accessibility
requirements below enhance images for a
range of different users.
- Provide a meaningful description
relevant to the teaching purpose of
your image in the alt tag.
- Label purely decorative images
appropriately, so screen-readers can
bypass them.
- Use appropriate Alt Text descriptions
relevant to the destination if image
is a link (for example "Go to Home
page").
- Ensure strong enough contrast for the
image elements, be wary of light
shades, especially grey and
yellow.
- Use sharp, clear, good resolution
images.
- Use normal text in preference to
images with just text, along with
styling if required.
- Use an accessible format, MATHJAX or
LaTeX etc, to display scientific,
mathematical or financial equation
notation.
- Provide longer text
descriptions for images with
complicated diagrams or detailed
information, in addition to an alt
description.
- If you must use ASCII art, emoticons
and leetspeak remember to provide alt
text for them (or dont use them at
all!).
- Remember to provide alt text for other
types of visual content such as
applets or button images!
- Use punctuation in the Alt Text and
put the most important information at
the beginning.
Remember! Although
images provide many accessibility
benefits, they can also provide
barriers for those who can't see the image
or can see it but struggle to
understand the main points.