Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Recommended Tool

Key Concepts

  • Simple images should be described briefly or designated as decorative images.
  • Complex images (e.g., data charts, infographics, maps) should be described elsewhere in the document; ALT Text should direct the user to a long description.
  • Images that present no content or context may be marked as decorative.

Check ALT Text

For each web page or view:

  • Activate the Check Images bookmarklet on the browser’s Bookmarks toolbar.
  • Review the ALT Text overlay for each image in the page or view.
  • Determine whether the ALT Text is suitable for the image:
    • Are there images of text?
    • Does the ALT Text provide an accurate and concise description of the image?
    • If the images is a hyperlink or button, does the ALT Text indicate its destination or purpose?
    • If the image requires an in-depth explanation, does the ALT Text direct the user to that information?
    • If the images is purely decorative, does the ALT Text overlay read “Role='presentation'”?

Escalate for Remediation

  • Informational images with no ALT text
  • Images with inaccurate ALT text

ALT Text Resources

OCR Video Series Topic 10: Alternative Text

WebAIM: Alternative Text