Accessible Images — Alt, Descriptions and When to Add More
Images add value to websites, but when they aren’t described properly, they create barriers for non–sighted users. Writing effective alt text is one of the simplest and most important steps in accessibility.
At DigiTechArmours, we test every image with our sighted and non–sighted team. Sighted testers check clarity and context, while non–sighted testers confirm whether screen readers provide meaningful descriptions.
Here are some quick rules:
- Functional Images: Buttons or icons must describe their purpose (e.g., “Search” instead of “Magnifying glass”).
- Informative Images: Photos that add meaning need concise alt text that captures the key point.
- Decorative Images: Purely decorative visuals should use empty alt attributes (alt=””) so they aren’t read aloud.
- Complex Graphics: Charts and infographics often need extended descriptions beyond simple alt text.
AccessMate highlights missing or misused alt attributes, linking them to WCAG 1.1.1 (Non-text Content). But it’s our testers who bring context deciding whether an image truly needs a description or not.
For example, a decorative flourish may be ignored, but a data chart must be explained clearly. The difference is crucial for non-sighted users.
By blending tool support with human review, DigiTechArmours ensures images aren’t just present they’re accessible, meaningful, and inclusive.
Pablo Villalpando
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Pablo Villalpando
December 9, 2019Onum has been extremely consistent and reliable through our entire engagement. Our results speak for themselves.
Pablo Villalpando
December 9, 2019It also gives you insights on your market’s behavior such as location, times of activity, frequency of searches, technologies used, product preferences, etc.