15. Use the alt attribute for images to clearly outline the gist of the image.

Persons using audio browsers run into difficulties grasping the content of images (<img>). Display the gist of the image using the alt attribute.

Example and Implementation

• Display the gist of the image using the altattribute.
• Leave the alt attribute blank between the quotations (alt="") for images which have no significance (such as bullet points) or images which have accompanying text.

Good example: Describe the image using the alt attribute.

Good example: Images with no meaning are displayed as alt=""

Bad example: "Chapter 2" is read aloud twice with Audio Browser.

16. Use the alt attribute for linked images to precisely outline the gist of the target link.

Audio browsers, when the alt attribute is not specified in the <img> tag for linked images, read aloud the URL of the target link. Audio browser users thus cannot get an idea of the target link content.

Example and Implementation

• Describe the target link using the alt attribute.
• When an explanation of the image is made superfluous by a description of the target link in the alt attribute, it is adequate to abbreviate the image explanation.
• When it is necessary to describe in detail the content of the image, describe the target link in the alt attribute and describe the image in text in the HTML.

Bad example: URL is read aloud by audio browser with no alt attribute specified

Good example: Target link is described in alt attribute.

17. Use the alt attribute for image maps to precisely outline the gist of the target link.

When the alt attribute is not specified in image map links, audio browsers read aloud the URL of the target link. Therefore, audio browser users cannot get an idea of the target link content.

Example and Implementation

• Specify the alt attribute in the <area> tag. Outline the alt attribute so that the content of the target link can be understood.

Bad example: with no alt attribute specified (URL is read aloud)

Good example: Target link is described in alt attribute.